Bladder Cancer
Men are at least three to four times more likely than women to get bladder cancer, which affects the organ that stores and secretes pee during urination. Bladder cancer is uncommon in adults under the age of 40, like the majority of other malignancies of the urinary system. Young persons without recognised risk factors are affected by late-stage bladder cancer, just like with all malignancies.
Causes Of Bladder Cancer
The cause of bladder cancer is still unclear and is mostly due to a genetic mutation in which abnormal cell growth prevents normal cell growth and thus normal physiology.
Bladder Cancer Risk Factors
- Smoking
- Exposure to chemicals like aromatic amines, aniline dyes, and aldehydes
- Chronic inflammatory conditions like schistosomiasis
- Long-time bladder stones
- Exposure to external beam radiation during previous therapies for other cancers in the pelvic area
- Drugs like phenacetin (painkiller) and chlornaphazine (treatment of polycythaemia and Hodgkin’s disease- drugs discontinued)
- Chronic bladder infections
- Low fluid and water consumption
- With increasing age, the incidence of bladder cancer also increases (over the age of 55)
- Consumption of high-fat diet and obesity
- Family history of bladder cancer
Bladder Cancer Symptoms
- Painless, visible haematuria (blood in the urine)
- Symptoms of urinary obstruction like painful urination, slow stream etc
- Frequent and urgent urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain in the abdominal and lower back area
Bladder Cancer Treatment
In the initial stages and low grade cancers, endoscopic removal of bladder cancer followed by intravesical chemotherapy is done, but if unsuccessful or in cases of recurrences, cystectomy or removal of the bladder is done at Dr. Pari’s Urology speciality clinic, the best bladder cancer center in Chennai. A procedure called radical cystectomy with a urinary diversion into an incontinent ileal conduit or a continent catheterizable bowel pouch is done as a permanent measure.
Bladder Cancer Prevention
Dr. Pari, a bladder cancer specialist in Chennai advises that the easiest way to combat the disease is to follow preventive measures. They include:
- Not smoking
- Avoiding exposure to the carcinogenic chemicals mentioned above
- Drinking plenty of water
- Following a fat-free diet and regular physical exercises
