How To Recognize Bladder Cancer Early

Because bladder cancer is not as much a part of public discourse as are some other forms of cancer, many people do not realize that it is in fact a highly common disease in the United States. It is the fifth most common form of cancer for men and the eighth most common for women, affecting some 70,000 people every year.

It is most common among patients over the age of 55, especially smokers. Caucasian people are more likely to get it than any other race. So if you’re white, entering the middle aged years of your life and are still putting down several cigarettes a day, you should probably take some precautions.

That said, treating it in its early stages can make all the difference in the world. There are over half a million bladder cancer survivors living in the United States today. For these reasons it would serve you well to read up on how to recognize it so you can address it before it becomes a serious problem.

Bladder cancer symptoms

If you’ve noticed any blood in your urine, regardless of whether it’s a lot or a little, you may be experiencing the early stages of bladder cancer. If you have any pain while urinating, or if you have an inconsistent stream, you may be showing signs of bladder cancer. Also, any pelvic pain could also be an early indicator.

Mind you that all of these symptoms could also be signs of other problems, such as a UTI, bladder stones, or, for men, problems with the prostate. So if you are experiencing any discomfort at all, the best thing to do is to see a urologist in New York City who can tell you exactly what the problem is. Moreover, it is more often than not that bladder cancer does not show any symptoms in its earliest stages, meaning it is your responsibility to monitor your body as closely as possible. Again, the best way of doing this is to keep in contact with your urologist as much as he or she recommends.

How to prevent bladder cancer

The leading cause of bladder cancer is smoking. So above all, the best thing you can do for your body is to quit. This applies in many more ways than one. Smoking is pretty much bad for everything and anything related to physical and mental health. The chemicals in cigarettes get absorbed into your blood, pass through your kidneys and finally end up in your urine, which is stored in your bladder. The more you smoke, the more damage you are doing to your bladder. Compound that over enough years, and you will be increasing the chances of paying the price tenfold.

If you have some concerns about the state of your bladder or have any other urological issues that you would like to have addressed, you can contact the Luzato Medical Group in New York City at any time by calling (212) 661-7003, or feel free to email them any time to set up an appointment.