Cancer is simply the growth of cells that are not normal inside the body. These cells replicate and then form a mass that are known as tumors. When we talk about bladder cancer, these cells grow inside the bladder. This type of cancer is often seen in the people who are in their 60’s. Experts are still not sure about the cause of bladder cancer, but smoking or exposure to chemicals is one of the reasons that increases the risk of bladder cancer.
- Cause of bladder cancer:
The change in the DNA is one of the reasons for the people suffering from bladder cancer. When your bladder lining is exposed to chemicals for a long time, the cells inside changes and result in the person suffering from bladder cancer. Some parasites that cause Schistosomiasis and radiation treatment are also the reasons for bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer is more likely to occur in frequent smokers than nonsmokers.
Symptoms:
- The most common symptom of bladder cancer is Hematuria. In this disease blood clots or traces of blood are seen in the urine. This isn’t painful but can be very serious if an action is not taken at the right time.
- Dysuria is another symptom in which the patient experiences pain during urination.
- Frequent urinations
- Small amount of urinal discharge
- Reversing Urinary tract infections
- Pain in the lower back
- Swelling
- Pelvic mass growth near the bladder
- Abrupt weight loss
- Anaemia
- Pain in the joints and bone
Treatment:
The treatment for bladder cancer entirely depends on the stage where cancer has progressed. Your doctor will always consider your age and health before starting with the treatments. Bladder cancer can be treated if diagnosed in the early stages. The treatments may include:
- Surgery that may be done to remove cancer along with other medical procedures that will help the most in most of the cases.
- Chemotherapy that can be done to destroy the cancer cells that have started replicating in the body. Chemotherapy can either be given before the surgery or after the surgery, depending upon what will help the most to kill the cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy is another way by which cancer cells can be destroyed. It involves the use of x-Rays that pass through the body and damages the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be given along with the chemotherapy if that would help in curing the patient.
- Immunotherapy: In this treatment the immune system of your body attacks the cancer cells in the bladder and destroys them.
Prevention:
One cannot prevent bladder cancer but can reduce the risk of getting into it.
- Quit smoking: Smokers are more likely to get bladder cancer than one’s who do not smoke.
- Avoid exposing to chemicals: Chemicals such as benzene and arylamines ae the most harmful chemicals. Exposure to working with paints, dyes, textiles and rubbers increases the risk of bladder cancer.
- Avoid arsenic: Do you check your drinking water. The undistilled water is often contaminated with arsenic. Prefer drinking filtered water if you think the water you are drinking is not pure.
- Have a healthy diet: the eating and drinking habits can prevent you from suffering from bladder cancer.