Urinary bladder cancer is the 6th most common type of cancer in the United States.
It is estimated that nearly 70,000 individuals will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in the United States during 2008 and that approximately 20% of them will die of the disease. Bladder cancer is more common in men than in women and more common among whites than blacks. In the United States, approximately 1 in 24 men will be diagnosed with bladder cancer during his lifetime whereas only 1 in 77 women will develop the disease. If discovered and treated early, bladder cancer has a high rate of cure.
Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the risk of developing bladder cancer. Bladder cancer has been linked to exposure to various types of toxic substances such as cigarette smoke and industrial chemicals but genetic factors also play a significant role. Recently our scientists at deCODE genetics discovered a genetic variant on chromosome 8 that increases the risk of developing bladder cancer.
The deCODEme Genetic Scan identifies the genetic variant on chromosome 8 and provides interpretation of the associated risk for the development of bladder cancer in white individuals of European ancestry. Currently no data are available for people of other ethnicities for this variant.
risk factors
Several risk factors for bladder cancer have been established.
- Smoking: this is the strongest risk factor for bladder cancer. Smokers develop bladder cancer twice as often as non-smokers.
- Chemical exposure: painters, hairdressers, machinists, printers, and truck drivers are among those whose exposure to various chemicals increases their risk for bladder. Others include individuals who work with aromatic amines, a group of chemicals are used in the production of rubber, printing materials, textiles, and paint products as well as in the treatment of leather. Arsenic in drinking water has also been linked to an increased risk of the disease.
- Race: whites of European origin are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as are African Americans and Hispanics. Asians have the lowest rate of bladder cancer.
- Age: the risk of bladder cancer increases with age.
- Gender: the incidence of bladder cancer in men is more than three times greater than in women.
- Genetic factors: those with a first-degree relative who has developed bladder cancer are at greater risk.
- Other risk factors: include chronic bladder infection, bladder birth defects and not drinking enough liquids.
- Reoccurrence: Bladder cancer can reoccur. Those who have had it once are at a greater risk of developing it a second time.
prevention and treatment
The most important preventive measures are to refrain from smoking and to take recommended caution with chemicals. Drinking plenty of liquids, especially water, dilutes toxic substances that may be found in a concentrated form in urine and flushes them out of the bladder more quickly. Since arsenic is known to affect bladder cancer, household wells and other private water supplies should be tested for high arsenic levels. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of bladder cancer.
Treatment of bladder cancer depends on a number of factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, one’s overall health and treatment preferences. Most people undergo surgery to remove the cancer and surrounding tissue. If the tumor has invaded nearby tissue, the whole bladder may be removed and reconstructive surgery performed so that urine can be expelled. If further treatment is required, it may include chemotherapy, radiation and/or immunotherapy (aimed at stimulating the immune system to fight the remaining cancer cells).
more information
You can find more information about bladder cancer by talking with your physician and visiting these Web sites:
The American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
MayoClinic.com on bladder cancer
MedlinePlus Article on bladder cancer
Wikipedia article on bladder cancer