(BPT) - Bladder cancer happens when cells in the bladder start to grow out of control. These cells can form a tumor and, over time, can spread to other parts of the body.
Bladder cancer isn't always easy to detect, so it's important to know what your chances (or risk) of getting bladder cancer may be and what to look for.
Do you want to better understand your risk for bladder cancer? Here are 3 things you should know:
1. The signs and symptoms of bladder cancer
Blood in urine (pee) is usually the first and most common sign of bladder cancer. Blood in your urine may:
- Look orange, pink or dark red in color
- Go away and then come back from time-to-time
Blood in your urine does not always mean cancer, but it's important to see and talk to your doctor to rule out other causes like a bladder or kidney stone, an infection or kidney disease.
When should I talk to my doctor?
Always talk with your doctor about any changes in your urine or bladder habits, such as:
- Having to go more often than usual
- Pain or burning while you urinate
- Feeling like you have to urinate right away, even when your bladder isn't full
- Having trouble going or having a weak urine stream
- Getting up to go often during the night
Your may recommend exams or tests to learn the cause of the blood in your urine or changes in bladder habits.
2. Some people may have a higher chance of developing bladder cancer
The chances of developing bladder cancer increase with age. In the U.S., about 9 in 10 people with bladder cancer are over the age of 55. Bladder cancer is also about twice as likely to occur in white people compared to Black and Hispanic people, and it affects men more than women.
Smoking is a major risk factor for bladder cancer. People who smoke are at least three times as likely to get bladder cancer as people who don't.
Does bladder cancer run in families?
