Most people already know that smoking harms health and increases the risk of serious diseases such as lung cancer. However, not many may know that besides lung cancer, smoking also increases the risk of bladder cancer. For those who wonder why this is so, getting to know more about bladder cancer will help clear up this doubt very well.
What is bladder cancer and who is at risk?
Bladder cancer is a malignant tumor of cancer cells that occurs in the bladder area, similar to other types of cancer depending on the organ affected. Cancer is the growth of cells with incomplete components that are abnormal, growing or expanding excessively. Those at higher risk of bladder cancer than the general population usually have the following factors:
- Men have a 2-3 times higher chance of developing bladder cancer than women.
- Smoking increases the chance of bladder cancer by 3-4 times because toxins from smoking are excreted through urine, causing irritation that leads to abnormal growth of cells in the urinary tract.
- Those with a history of radiation therapy in the lower abdominal area, such as patients with ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, or prostate cancer treated with radiation, have an 8-9 times higher risk of developing bladder cancer.
- People who work with heavy metals, such as in textile factories, oil factories, or plastic factories, have a higher risk because the body absorbs toxins and excretes them through urine, which may irritate cells and cause abnormal growth leading to cancer cells.
What symptoms might indicate a risk of bladder cancer?
Symptoms of bladder cancer mostly depend on the stage of the disease. In the early stage, symptoms include blood in the urine, which is not a specific symptom that definitely means bladder cancer but is a warning sign that raises suspicion.
In cases of advanced or metastatic bladder cancer, patients may present with a palpable mass in the groin or lower abdomen and pain in other areas where the cancer has spread. Symptoms vary widely depending on the severity of the disease progression. Therefore, observing blood in the urine is an important warning sign to pay attention to. “Blood in the urine” that may indicate bladder cancer usually occurs without pain, burning, discomfort, or other symptoms.
How severe is the progression of bladder cancer?
The severity of bladder cancer can be divided into three main stages:
- Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is the early stage where the cancer has not spread into the muscle layer. The cancer is only in the inner lining and can be treated by transurethral resection using a cystoscope, preserving the bladder.
- Muscle-invasive bladder cancer is the stage where the cancer has spread into the muscle layer but has not penetrated other organs. Treatment at this stage usually involves removing the entire tumor along with the bladder, followed by creating a urinary diversion for the patient.
- Metastatic bladder cancer is the stage where the cancer has spread beyond the muscle layer to other areas and organs of the body, comparable to the final stage in other cancers. Treatment depends on symptoms and the best approach for each individual patient.
How is bladder cancer treated and can it be cured?
Treatment of bladder cancer depends mainly on the stage of the disease. If detected early, it can be cured by transurethral resection of the tumor and continuous monitoring. For patients with advanced or metastatic bladder cancer, treatment involves removing the tumor, which may require bladder removal depending on severity, followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy and ongoing monitoring. The chance of cure decreases in the late stages.
Cancer, regardless of the organ, is dangerous. Therefore, taking good care of oneself to stay safe and reduce the risk of cancer as much as possible is essential. To reduce the risk of bladder cancer, avoid smoking, avoid working in areas with heavy metal exposure, eat nutritious food, exercise, drink plenty of water, and have regular annual health check-ups. Urine tests in basic health screening programs can help screen for risks and detect diseases early, serving as both prevention and safe treatment for bladder cancer and other illnesses.
