The National Cancer Institute estimates 70,530 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 14,680 Americans will die of this form of cancer in 2010. The cancerous tumor usually originates in the cells that form the inner lining of the bladder. Cigarette smoking, occupation related exposure to chemicals and radiation treatment for cervical cancer increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. Awareness of the early symptoms leads to detection at the early stage and improves the chances of being treated successfully.
Blood in the Urine
Blood in the urine may be either visible with the naked eye or microscopic and only detected in laboratory analysis of a urine specimen. Microscopic hematuria or blood in the urine is discovered during a urinalysis which can be part of a routine medical examination. The presence of blood changes the color of urine. According to the staff of the Mayo Clinic, hematuria urine can be dark yellow, bright red or the color of cola soda.
Factors to consider regarding suspected blood in the urine include menstruation, bloody ejaculation due to a prostate problem and blood from a bowel movement confused with blood in the urine. Eating beets causes discoloration of the urine and can be mistaken as hematuria. Blood that is visible with the naked eye and cannot be attributed to other causes warrants prompt medical evaluation.
Painful Urination
Any pain, discomfort or burning sensation upon urination that lasts for more than one day and cannot be attributed to another cause such as a urinary tract infection, vaginitis or prostatitis is an early symptom of bladder cancer. A person experiencing this symptom needs to contact his health care provider.
Increased Frequency and Urgency to Urinate
Changes in the frequency of a normal pattern of urination and the sudden and urgent urge to void are symptoms of bladder cancer. Medline Plus lists these two symptoms as early signs but warns that other problems should be considered. Both frequency and urgent urination are also symptoms of a urinary tract infection, overactive bladder syndrome, drinking caffeine or alcohol, the use of diuretics and an enlarged prostate. If frequent, painful and urgent urination that cannot be attributed to other conditions occurs along with hematuria, medical attention is necessary.
