Bladder Cancer Health Video

Bladder cancer can refer to any number of cancerous growths in the urinary bladder. Learn about bladder cancer and treatment options in this video.

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Don't smoke
Beware of toxic chemicals Drink plenty of fluids
Eat fruits and vegetables
Seek medical attention
May require surgery and chemotherapy

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

DR. SUSAN MCGLADDERY: Hello, my name is Dr. Sue McGladdery, I'm the Medical Director from FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to give you some information about bladder cancer. Bladder cancer typically begins in the lining of the bladder. Some bladder cancer remains confined just to the lining but in other case as it may invade to other areas of the bladder and beyond. Most people who develop bladder cancer are older adults. Over 90% of people are over 55. The biggest single risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking, but exposure to certain toxic chemicals and drugs is also an important risk factor. The first sign of bladder cancer is usually blood in the urine. This may just be on urine testing or it maybe noticeable as a dark or reddish color of the urine. You should see a doctor quickly if you develop any signs or symptoms that could indicate a bladder cancer, for example, blood in the urine or painful frequent urination. In this case, the doctor wants to take a medical history or make a full physical exam plus some additional tests such as a urine cytology exam to check for cancer cells in the urine, maybe a cystoscopy, this is an endoscopic procedure that looks inside the bladder to look at the surface of the bladder for signs of cancer, also, CT exams, MRI, bone scan and chest x-ray are often needed. Bladder cancer leads to problems such as anemia. It also causes problems of urinary incontinence meaning an inability to control the flow of urine. Blockage to the urine flow may also occur which can damage the kidneys through a back pressure effect. Cancer may also spread to other organs. What are the treatment options if you find out that you have bladder cancer? Well, surgery is usually the best option for most patients. Treating bladder cancer that is spread can be difficult and involve extensive surgical procedures, but if the cancer is detected early before it spread beyond the lining of the bladder, then, there is a better chance of treatment with minimal side effects. Other treatments that are sometimes used include radiotherapy or chemotherapy or even some biological therapies. Although bladder cancer can not always be prevented, you can certainly reduce your risk. Don't smoke, be careful with toxic chemicals and ensure that you drink plenty of fluids each day and have a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits. And if you do have any suspicious symptoms particularly blood in the urine, go and see your doctor urgently, don't delay.

Bladder Cancer Health Video

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