Bladder Cancer

Everything you need to know about this cancer

This cancer originates from cells in the inner layer of the bladder that grow out of control. Sometimes, the tumor grows into the bladder and is not very invasive, others, however, it grows into the muscle and finds ways to spread the disease.

Risk factors

The main factors that provoke the onset of bladder cancer are:

It is the main cause of bladder cancer. More than 40% of all diagnoses are attributed to it. This is due to the fact that many of the carcinogens contained in cigarettes are absorbed by the body and eliminated through the urine.

Certain products represent a risk factor for developing this disease. People who are exposed to these carcinogenic substances are more at risk, as is the case of those who work in companies that generate toxic chemical waste.

Some studies support the link between HPV and bladder cancer.

Caucasians are twice as likely to get bladder cancer than African-Americans.

The risk of bladder cancer increases with age.

Bladder cancer is much more common in men than in women.

People who have had cancer in the lining of any part of the urinary tract are more likely to develop another tumor.

People whose family members have had bladder cancer are at increased risk.

Some chemotherapy drugs or radiation that were used to treat other cancers may increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Arsenic in drinking water has been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

My patients’ perspective: Conversation with Irene Amezquita