Bladder cancer is the eighth most common cancer in countries like the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Men are four times more likely to develop it, compared to women. However, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood in both sexes. And although symptoms can vary from person to person, you should pay close attention in case you experience any changes, especially blood in your urine.
What is bladder cancer?
This condition refers to any cancer that begins in the bladder, says Dr. Raj Satkunasivam, a urologic oncologist at Houston Methodist Hospital. Although there are several types, 90% are known as urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC), which is a condition in the cells that line the bladder, urethra, ureters, renal pelvis, and some others. organs.
“There are several risk factors for this cancer, but the most common is cigarette smoking,” warns Dr. Satkunasivam. “Other risky elements include chronic inflammation of the bladder, occupational risks including exposure to certain types of dyes or solvents, and certain chemotherapies.”
Aging is another possible cause. Nine out of 10 people are diagnosed after age 55, according to the American Cancer Society.
“Bladder cancer is seen more frequently in men and older adults, generally over 60 years of age,” adds the oncology expert. “But it can also affect women and younger people. Unfortunately, sometimes the diagnosis is delayed in these groups, because they are less frequent.”
What can complicate the diagnosis is that some of the early symptoms may be associated with other conditions or changes in our urinary habits as we age.
Changes in toilet habits that could indicate bladder cancer
“Bladder cancer can have different signs depending on its stage,” says Dr. Satkunasivam. At an early stage it may share symptoms of other infections and conditions, whether urinary tract infections (UTI), kidney stones or diabetes.
Dr. Satkunasivam advises not to neglect persistent symptoms, as it is better to be evaluated and detect bladder cancer early, rather than allowing it to progress to a point that is difficult to treat. The five symptoms listed below are early signs of bladder cancer. Some may be related to aging and other conditions, but when multiple symptoms are present and persistent, you should see your doctor.
“We recommend that unusual or concerning symptoms be evaluated as soon as possible,” says Dr. Satkunasivam. “Hopefully, it won’t be serious, but if it is bladder cancer, it will be better to diagnose it as soon as possible.”
1. Blood in urine
“The most common symptom among all bladder cancer patients is the presence of blood in the urine, either only under the microscope (microscopic hematuria) or with the naked eye (macroscopic hematuria),” explains Dr. Satkunasivam. “The development of “Any type of blood in the urine should prompt evaluation by a urologist. However, blood in the urine can also be due to other causes, such as infection, kidney stones, or an enlarged prostate.”
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common causes of hematuria. Women are three to four times more likely to experience urinary tract infections than men, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. This is because the urethra is shorter in women, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder. Additionally, women may experience blood in their urine due to menstruation, a urinary tract infection, or postmenopausal uterine bleeding.
According to the expert from Houston Methodist Hospital, seeing blood in the urine is always a cause for medical consultation, even if it is painless. Testing can help rule out infections and other conditions, and help you see a urologist sooner if symptoms persist.
2. Frequent urination
Staying hydrated is important for our overall health. And anyone trying to increase their water intake knows that with increased hydration comes more trips to the bathroom. But if you find yourself running to the bathroom more than usual and your fluid intake hasn’t changed, you’ll want to get evaluated. Frequent urination is another sign of a urinary tract infection, but it is also associated with other conditions such as overactive bladder, enlarged prostate, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, including ovarian and bladder cancer.
3. Pain or burning when urinating (dysuria)
Feeling a burning sensation or pain when urinating can make anyone afraid of the bathroom. A burning or stinging sensation when urinating can be another symptom of a urinary tract infection, but it is also associated with diabetes, bladder infections, prostate conditions, and certain sexually transmitted infections. In men, pain may remain in the penis before or after urinating.
4. Changes in urine urgency and flow
Having changes in your urine flow or feeling like you need to go to the bathroom constantly are symptoms that you should consult your doctor. If your once-strong urine flow now feels like a weak trickle, or that the flow now stops, starts, stops, etc; or you go to the bathroom frequently but can’t urinate, it’s time to seek care.
5. Going to the bathroom several times at night (nocturia)
Waking up to urinate during the night can be seen as a common, but annoying, side effect of aging for both men and women. In men, it can be attributed to an enlarged prostate. For women, menopause can contribute to nocturia, in addition to other changes such as hot flashes. In both men and women, sleep apnea is one of the most common and underdiagnosed causes of nocturia.
Regardless of your age, if you wake up several times a night to go to the bathroom after a deep sleep, you may want to talk to your doctor, especially if you have any other symptoms.
Never ignore urinary symptoms
Let’s face it: many of us were taught from a young age that bathroom habits are taboo. But these can tell you a lot about your health and should not be ignored.
While many of the symptoms above may have less serious causes, reviewing them can give you access to more treatments if it is bladder cancer.
“Bladder cancer, like many cancers, is treated very differently depending on how early it is detected,” adds Dr. Satkunasivam. “In the initial stage it can be controlled with minor outpatient surgeries and office visits, while in advanced cases more complex surgeries and/or chemotherapies may be required.”
For non-invasive bladder cancer, the most common treatment is outpatient surgery in which the tumors are scraped from the inside of the bladder with a specialized camera (endoscope) through the urethra. Sometimes this is followed by various treatments in which the bladder is filled with medications to help treat the cancer cells.
For more invasive bladder cancers, Dr. Satkunasivam says patients may need chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove the bladder or radiation to the bladder. In the last five years, there have been many new drug treatments that have been approved for more invasive bladder cancer (such as immunotherapy).
“We are participating in several clinical trials, focused on finding the best and safest treatments for all our patients with this type of cancer,” concludes Dr. Satkunasivam.