This Is One of the Most Common Signs of Bladder Cancer, According to a Urogynecologist

Bladder cancer makes up about 4% of cancers, most commonly affecting people 55 and older. While rates for bladder cancer are dropping, it’s still important to know what the most common signs of it are. As with any cancer, early treatment is key. Knowing the risk factors for bladder cancer and its earliest symptoms can lead to getting treatment earlier, making overcoming it more likely.

If you’re unfamiliar with bladder cancer, here are all the facts you need to know, straight from a urogynecologist.

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What Is Bladder Cancer?

As its name implies, bladder cancer is cancer that originates from tissues of the bladder, which is where the body stores urine. There are four different types of bladder cancer. The most common type is called urothelial cancer. This type of cancer starts in urothelial cells, which are found in the urethra, bladder and renal pelvis, among other organs. The other types of bladder cancer are rare.

“Risk factors for bladder cancer include smoking, having a family history of bladder cancer, certain environmental and occupational factors like aniline dyes and long-standing indwelling catheters in some patients,” says Dr. Kathleen Kobashi, MD, MBA, FACS, a urogynecologist at Houston Methodist.

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Dr. Kobashi says that heavy smokers are particularly at increased risk for bladder cancer. Scientific research shows that smoking increases the risk of bladder cancer between 50% and 65% in men and between 20% and 30% in women. That means, if you are a male who smokes, your risk of getting bladder cancer is more than double what it would be if you didn’t smoke.

Fortunately, when bladder cancer is caught early, it’s highly treatable. The five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is 97% if it’s treated at its earliest and 71% if it’s treated before it spreads beyond the bladder. But in order to treat it early, it’s important to know the earliest symptoms.

Related: Suddenly Lacking Bladder Control? Here Are 7 Surprising Ways To Help Get It Back

The Most Common Symptom of Bladder Cancer

Dr. Kobashi says that the most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in urine. The blood can range from bright red to a rusty brown color and can make urine appear more brown than yellow. Or, it could appear in streaks in the urine as opposed to tinting it brown.

If you notice blood in your urine, it’s important to see a doctor who can check to see if you have bladder cancer. Again, bladder cancer is highly treatable when caught early, so don’t let the fear of possibly having it stop you from finding out. 

Bladder cancer is diagnosed through a procedure called a cystoscopy. A cystoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the bladder and urethra using a small, tube-like instrument with a lens. Typically during this procedure, cells are sent to be biopsied to check for the possibility of bladder cancer.

Blood in urine is not the only symptom of bladder cancer to be aware of. Dr. Kobashi says that experiencing pain in the bladder area is also common. Having to pee more frequently, experiencing pain during urination and back pain are also all symptoms of bladder cancer.

Besides knowing the most common signs of bladder cancer, Dr. Kobashi says that another way to catch bladder cancer early is to stay on top of your annual physicals. “Urinalysis is one of the commonly assessed labs at annual physicals,” she says, specifying how these doctor’s appointments can help catch cancer early.

While it’s natural for the color of your urine to fluctuate based on your diet and how much fluid you’re drinking, experiencing blood in your urine is not normal. If this is something you are experiencing, make an appointment with your healthcare provider today. Remember, it’s up to you to be proactive about your health. If something is off, tell your doctor. It just might save your life!

Sources

• Dr. Kathleen Kobashi, MD, MBA, FACS, urogynecologist at Houston Methodist
• Key Statistics for Bladder Cancer. American Cancer Society
• Bladder Cancer. StatPearls
• What Is Bladder Cancer? National Cancer Institute
• Association between smoking and risk of bladder cancer among men and women. JAMA. 2011
• Bladder Cancer Prognosis and Survival Rates. National Cancer Institute
• Bladder cancer. Mayo Clinic
• Bladder Cancer Diagnosis. National Cancer Institute