11 Common Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer

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Bladder cancer is a quite common; it ranks sixth among the most common types of cancer. The disease can often be caught early and is highly treatable in its early stages. It’s important to know symptoms of bladder cancer and factors that increase the risk of developing it, so you’ll know when to act.

Symptoms of bladder cancer
One of the symptoms of the disease that is often present in the beginning is blood in the urine. If your urine has changed color to pink, orange, or red, it means there’s blood in it. Sometimes, the amount of blood is small and can only be detected with a urine test.

Other symptoms of the disease include the following:

✿ needing to urinate more often;

✿ it hurts to urinate;

✿ difficulty urinating;

✿ a feeling that the bladder doesn’t empty completely.

These symptoms are similar to those of a less serious problem – a urinary tract infection. If you have such symptoms, see your doctor to find out what’s causing them.

As bladder cancer progresses, the following symptoms appear:

✿ inability (or decreased ability) to urinate;

✿ pain in the lower back;

✿ unintended weight loss;

✿ decreased appetite;

✿ swollen feet;

✿ bone pain;

✿ persistent tiredness and weakness.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor as soon as possible.


Bladder cancer risk factors
One of the major risk factors for developing bladder cancer is smoking and other uses of tobacco. If you smoke, you’re three times more likely to develop bladder cancer than are non-smokers.

Other factors that increase the risk of getting the disease include the following:

✿ exposure to harmful chemicals at your workplace;

✿ drinking water that contains arsenic;

✿ not drinking enough water or other fluids;

✿ being white – bladder cancer is more common in Caucasians;

✿ gender – men are more likely than women to get bladder cancer;

✿ age – most bladder cancers are found in people older than 55;

✿ personal or family history of bladder cancer;

✿ certain birth defects that affect the bladder and its function;

✿ radiation therapy to the pelvis;

✿ frequent UTIs;

✿ schistosomiasis (a parasitic infection, uncommon in the US and other developed countries).

Is there a way to prevent bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer isn’t always preventable, but there are measures that you can take to decrease your risk of developing the disease. They include the following:

✿ don’t smoke;

✿ follow safety guidelines at work to prevent chemical exposure;

✿ drink enough fluids and eat a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits.


If you are at a higher risk of bladder cancer, ask your doctor what tests you need and how often you need them to make sure the disease is caught early if it develops.