How Tobacco Increases Your Risk of Bladder Cancer
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Tobacco Smoke and the Bladder
It’s known that cigarette smoke carries harmful toxins into the body, but few consider how those toxins make their way out. All bodily pollutants are processed through waste tracts to be expelled. Carcinogenic substances are no exception, as they are passed through the urinary tract. When urine is in contact with the bladder for lengthened periods of time, these high concentrations of toxins are in contact with the bladder for just as long. The outcome is a startling increase in the risk of bladder cancer among smokers.
The National Institute for Health listed smoking tobacco as the lead risk factor for bladder cancer. This is not surprising as half of all cases of bladder cancer occur among smokers. Although bladder cancer is more common among men than women, female cases are growing, and the heightened risk for female smokers is the same as men.
Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Spotting bladder cancer early on is critical to the management of this disease. The likelihood of remission is greater the earlier the illness is detected. Watch for these signs of bladder cancer to reduce your risk:
- Blood in urine
- Frequent bladder infections
- Increased frequency of urination
- Burning sensation during urination
Seeing a doctor at the first sign of these symptoms will put you in a better position to treat this condition.
Treatment of Bladder Cancer
If the tumor is spotted in time, there is a greater chance that it can be removed with endoscopic surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other medications. If the cancer has spread throughout the bladder, the surgical removal of the organ may be required. In this case, systemic chemotherapy will be used to remove the bladder. A new bladder may also be made using the small intestine, or an ostomy may be placed to function as the body’s organ.
Preventing Bladder Cancer
Preventing bladder cancer altogether is the best way to avoid complications. Increasing your awareness of how tobacco is linked to bladder cancer is the strongest method to reduce your risk of the disease. The cessation of smoking and, of course, an early diagnosis is the only way to fully prevent bladder cancer.
Talk to a Doctor
If you’re interested in learning more about bladder cancer, schedule an appointment with a doctor at Somerset Urological Associates today. Our highly skilled physicians are trained urologic oncologists who have worked with patients in New Jersey with a wide range of illnesses. From diagnosis to treatment, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Contact us today: (908) 927-0330.