What are the Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer?

Understanding Bladder Cancer Risk Factors

Bladder cancer is a rare type of cancer which starts in the bladder lining. There are many ways to treat it, including surgery. It is a type of cancer that can come back after treatment. Hence, it is best if an individual follows up with their healthcare provider about it. Read on to learn about the risks of this cancer.

Factors that Pose a Risk of Bladder Cancer

Here is an overview of some of the risks of bladder cancer that you need to know about:

Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for bladder cancer. Having a habit of smoking more than three times a day increases the risk of getting this cancer. This habit leads to bladder cancer for the majority of people.

Exposures in the Workplace

There are certain types of chemicals which have a link to bladder cancer. For instance, benzidine, aromatic amines, and beta-naphthylamine lead to this type of cancer. People who work in factories where certain organic dyes and chemicals are used also have an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Particular Medications

There has been research that diabetes medicines named pioglitazone are linked with an increased risk of this cancer. Furthermore, taking dietary supplements like aristolochic acid also considerably increases the risk of getting bladder cancer. The higher the doses, the greater the risk.

Presence of Arsenic in Drinking Water

When individuals drink water that has traces of arsenic in it, they automatically become more prone to bladder cancer. The chance of getting exposed depends on where one lives in the world. For instance, public water systems have more arsenic content.

Age and Gender

The risk of getting bladder cancer increases as a person gets older, particularly over the age of 55. Furthermore, males have a higher risk of getting bladder cancer than women, according to statistics. A few reasons for this could be a smoking habit commonly found in men, along with more occupational exposures.

Certain Types of Infections

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) infection potentially increases the risk of bladder cancer, where a parasite causes this infection. They live in fresh water in a few parts of the world. There have been numerous studies that have found a link between bladder stones and bladder cancer as well.

Family History

People who have close relatives affected by bladder cancer automatically have an increased risk of getting it. These relatives include a child, parent, sister or brother. It is because the members might have shared habits,  which leads to an increased risk.

Being Obese

There has also been some research that showed being obese is a contributing factor to getting bladder cancer. However, more research is necessary in this field as it is unclear how much of an increased risk they are.

Although there are no guaranteed ways to completely prevent bladder cancer, practising healthy habits can help reduce its risk. A healthy diet also helps to reduce the risk of cancer.