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Bladder cancer is a relentless disease affecting thousands of people in the United States. Although the rates for new bladder cancer cases have been falling an average of 1.0% each year over the last ten years, an estimated 81,190 adults (18,810 women and 62,380 men) in the country will still be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2018. In men, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer, and men are four times more likely than women to contract the disease. Incidence rates in white men are double those of black men. Bladder cancer mostly affects older adults, with ninety percent (90%) of people with bladder cancer being older than 55, and the average age people are diagnosed is 73. Besides, an estimated 17,240 deaths (12,520 men and 4,720 women) from this disease will occur in 2018, according to the American Cancer Society. These unfortunately high numbers are what empowers us to provide the alternative cancer treatments people need to recover and survive. New Hope Medical Center is dedicated to returning your body to its healthy, pre-cancer condition.Understand Your Disease
What Is Bladder Cancer?
Even though bladder cancer is very common, it is one type of cancer that most people know very little about. The bladder, located in the pelvis just above and behind the pubic bone, is a hollow organ with flexible, muscular walls. Its primary function is to store urine before it exits the body. Bladder cancer develops in the urinary bladder when cells divide and grow in an uncontrolled manner. The life-threatening disease may also occur anywhere in the urethra, renal pelvis, and ureters.
How Bladder Cancer Begins
Bladder cancer develops when cells in the urinary bladder grow erratically and start attacking other healthy cells. As more cells become infected, a tumor can advance and spread to other areas of the body. The wall of the bladder has multiple layers made up of complex, but vulnerable types of cells. Most bladder cancers originate in the innermost lining of the bladder, and as cancer progresses into or through the other layers of the bladder wall, it grows more advanced and can be challenging to treat.
Over time, bladder cancer might grow outside the bladder and into nearby structures. It might spread to neighboring lymph nodes, or deeper into other parts of the body, including the bones, lungs, or liver.
Types of Bladder Cancer
Several types of cancer can start in the bladder, including Urothelial Carcinoma, also known as Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). It is by far the most common type of bladder cancer and can be classified into different categories. TCC can be considered as invasive or non-invasive. The case is deemed to be non-invasive if the tumor lies in the inner layer of the bladder and have not grown into deeper layers. Meanwhile, the condition is invasive if the cancer has built into the other parts of the bladder and are more likely to metastasize. The latter is harder to treat.
Further, transitional cell carcinoma is categorized based on how it grows. It is classified as papillary if it grows towards hollow center of the bladder, but is considered as flat if it does not progress towards the bladder’s hollow area and only persist in the inner layer of the bladder cell.
Other cancers that start in the bladder, but are much less common than urothelial include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and sarcoma.
Warning Signs or Symptoms
Sometimes, those with bladder cancer do not experience changes or indications of a disease. In most cases, however, people with bladder cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs:
- Hematuria or blood in the urine
- Pyuria or pus in the urine
- Dysuria or painful or difficult urination
- Burning during urination
- Increased need to pee frequently even if the bladder is not full
- Weak urine stream or being unable to urinate
- Pelvic mass or growth in the pelvis
- Anemia
- Pain in the rectal, anal or pelvic area
- Being unable to urinate
- Lower back pain on one side of the body
- Feeling exhausted or weak
- Loss of appetite and sudden weight loss
- Swelling in the feet
- Bone pain
Major Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that heightens a person’s likelihood of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. The specific cause of bladder cancer is yet to be known, but some factors, including controllable lifestyle choices and inevitable circumstances, may increase one’s risk. Let us look at each of them.
- Age. Bladder cancer is common among people over the age of 55.
- Gender. For men, the chance is 1 in 26 while for women, it is 1 in 88.
- Race. White people are twice as likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer as black people. However, black people are twice as likely to die from the disease.
- Tobacco Use. Smokers are three times more likely to develop bladder cancer. Smoking is responsible for about half of all bladder cancers in both men and women.
- Chemicals. Benzidine and beta-naphthylamine may increase your risk of bladder cancer. People working in rubber, leather, textile, paint, and printing industries may be more prone to the disease because of their exposure to different chemicals and substances. Meanwhile, arsenic exposure through water is also linked to bladder cancer. Exposure depends on your water source, but for Americans, water is not a major source of arsenic.
- Medication and herbal supplements. Dietary supplements that have the ingredient aristolochic acid may be linked to bladder cancer. More so, pioglitazone, a medication used for diabetes, may increase risk of the disease if it’s used for more than a year. However, the link is still being investigated through research.
- Insufficient fluid intake. Fluid intake can also influence a person’s risk for bladder cancer. Those who frequently take fluids, especially water, may have lower chances of incurring the condition, perhaps because they tend to urinate and empty their bladders often. As a result, chemicals and unwanted substances will be easily eliminated from the body and does not sit in the bladder for a long time.
- Family history. People who have relatives and family members with bladder cancer are more likely to develop the condition.
- History of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Cyclophosphamide, a drug used in chemotherapy, can increase the risk of bladder cancer. Meanwhile, those who previously went through radiation treatment is also at an increased risk for bladder cancer.
- Diseases. People who have some forms of schistosomiasis (parasitic disease) and lynch syndrome (inherited condition) may have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
- Birth defects. If part of the urachus, the connection between the belly button and bladder, remains after birth, it may become cancerous. However, this is a rare occurrence and only accounts for less than 1% of bladder cancer cases. Exstrophy is another birth defect that may increase bladder cancer risk. This occurs when the bladder and the different parts surrounding it form abnormally.
How to Prevent Bladder Cancer
If you want to reduce your chances of having bladder cancer, you need to make smart lifestyle choices. Although there is no surefire way to prevent bladder cancer, the best way to decrease your chances of developing the disease is to manage risk factors that you can control, which have a lot to do with lifestyle choices, including:
- Don’t smoke
- Limit your exposure to certain chemicals
- Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet
- Drink plenty of water
Bladder Cancer Diagnostic Process
Tests and procedures used to diagnose bladder cancer may include:
- Medical history evaluation and physical exam. Genetic information plays a crucial role in cancer development. A complete analysis of your medical history is necessary to evaluate your symptoms and risk factors. During the physical exam, a digital rectal exam may be performed to determine the presence of tumors in the bladder. Depending on the results, you may be prescribed to undergo further tests or referred to another specialist.
- Urine Tests. Urinalysis, urine cytology, urine culture, and urine tumor marker tests are usually done to detect bladder cancer.
- Cystoscopy. This procedure allows your physician to inspect the lining of your bladder and the tube that transports urine out of your body. A hollow tube (cystoscope) equipped with a lens will be inserted into your urethra and gently advanced into your bladder.
- Biopsy. If the cystoscopy detects any abnormal masses in the bladder, a biopsy may follow to determine if they are carcinogenic. A sample tissue will be collected and evaluated to confirm the presence of cancer.
- Imaging tests. Imaging tests are necessary to see a detailed picture of the bladder and other parts of the body, which ascertain whether cancer has spread. Imaging tests include CT scan, MRI scan, ultrasound, intravenous pyelogram, retrograde pyelogram, bone scan, and chest x-ray.
Facilities
At New Hope Unlimited, we pride ourselves on providing superior comfort, cleanliness, and cancer care at our 8,000 square foot medical treatment center in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. We worked with renowned architects and contractors to create the ideal space for recovery, which includes state-of-the-art lounge areas and spacious private in-rooms that assure the comfort of our patients and their loved ones. To make our patients feel right at home, each private ward is equipped with high-definition U.S. television, quality bedding, and high-speed internet connection. And with proper nutrition playing a vital role in cancer recovery, New Hope Unlimited also fulfills the dietary needs of each patient using fresh, organic produce to prepare breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners. Comfort and cleanliness are also strictly implemented in our medical treatment rooms, which are equipped with the latest technology and equipment to provide the highest standard of care and treatment. Our medical center also has an in-house Hyperbaric Chamber, a well-established therapy for decompression sickness, exclusively available for our patients’ use. Further, New Hope Unlimited has maintained its exceptional partnership with Hospital Migoo, a medical group comprised of certified physicians and specialists that are committed to our patients’ comfort and well-being.
Bladder Cancer Fact or Fiction
Recurrence is a possibility similar to all cancers, there is a chance for recurrence of bladder cancer after treatment. Regular checkups are necessary, and you should embrace a healthy lifestyle to prevent a recurrence.
Exercise can increase your quality of life after bladder cancer
Data from a large group of bladder cancer survivors show that high levels of physical activity or exercise are clinically and statistically associated with increased health-related quality of life scores. The results validate further study into the link between physical activity and post-treatment quality of life and survivorship in this group of patients.
Holding your pee increases your risk of kidney disease, not bladder cancer
Holding your pee once in a while should not impact your health, but if your bladder is always carrying over two cups of urine, you may start to feel uncomfortable. There is no set guideline for how long you can safely hold your pee. It differs from person to person. In most circumstances, however, holding urine for any length of time can be dangerous. In fact, holding your bladder can increase your risk of infection or kidney disease, including an enlarged prostate, neurogenic bladder, urinary retention, and kidney disorders.
Bladder cancer is always fatal. Yes, bladder cancer can cause death. But breakthroughs in early detection have made the disease much more treatable. In fact, bladder cancer survival rates have improved from 40% in the 1990s.
Hair dye causes bladder cancer
Many speculate the cancer link between hair dye and cancer. It is thought that personal hair dye causes cancer in the bladder, brain, or breast, though there is not enough evidence to prove such claims. The National Cancer Institute reports that there may be a concern for hairdressers who have frequent exposure, but not for personal use.
Positive thinking cures bladder cancer
Although maintaining a positive outlook during cancer treatment is essential, it is not a miraculous cure for cancer. Staying optimistic helps with quality of life during treatment, but no scientific evidence proves that a positive attitude will cure cancer. In hindsight, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages all cancer patients to maintain positive social relationships to better cope with stress during cancer treatment.
FAQs
1. What should I do if I suspect having bladder cancer?If you speculate having bladder cancer, a crucial first step is to see a physician, preferably a urologist, as soon as possible. If diagnosed, do not lose hope! Early detection is key to effectively treating bladder cancer, and there are more than half a million bladder cancer survivors in the U.S. alone.
2. If I find blood in my urine, does this mean I have bladder cancer?
Though blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder cancer, it can also be an indication of kidney cancer or less serious problems, including bladder infections or kidney stones. Having blood in the urine requires seeing a healthcare provider urgently. That way, the cause can be found and treated.
3. Can I live without my bladder?
A person can live without his or her bladder. However, this procedure is more prominent in conventional cancer treatments. In cases when a surgeon has to remove the bladder to eliminate cancer, he or she will create a new way for urine to leave the body. Before undergoing surgery to remove the bladder, the patient and the surgeon will discuss in detail how urination will happen after surgery.
4. Can I still drink alcohol after surviving bladder cancer?Absolutely. Indulgence in moderation is reasonable (one drink a day for women, two for men). The only exception to the rule is smoking, which is a significant risk factor for bladder cancer. You must not smoke or chew tobacco to keep your chances of bladder cancer recurrence to a minimum. In addition, smoking marijuana may also increase your risk of recurrent cancer.
5. Are there support groups for people with bladder cancer?
Several bladder cancer support groups exist across the United States of America, including the Cancer Support Community. It is free to join and over 5,000 members have posted thousands of discussions supporting each other in battling bladder cancer. There are also general cancer support groups throughout the many hospitals in the country.
