Bladder Cancer (cont.)
Bladder cancer: Who's at risk?
No one knows the exact causes of bladder cancer. However, it is clear that
this disease is not contagious. No one can "catch" cancer from another person.
People who get bladder cancer are more likely than other people to have
certain risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases a person's
chance of developing the disease.
Still, most people with known risk factors do not get bladder cancer, and
many who do get this disease have none of these factors. Doctors can seldom
explain why one person gets this cancer and another does not.
Studies have found the following risk factors for bladder cancer:
- Age. The chance of
getting bladder cancer goes up as people get older. People under 40 rarely get
this disease.
- Tobacco. The use of
tobacco is a major risk factor. Cigarette smokers are two to three times more
likely than nonsmokers to get bladder cancer. Pipe and cigar smokers are also
at increased risk.
- Occupation. Some workers
have a higher risk of getting bladder cancer because of carcinogens in the
workplace. Workers in the rubber, chemical, and leather industries are at
risk. So are hairdressers, machinists, metal workers, printers, painters,
textile workers, and truck drivers.
- Infections. Being
infected with certain parasites increases the risk of bladder cancer. These
parasites are common in tropical areas but not in the United States.
- Treatment with
cyclophosphamide or
arsenic. These
drugs are used to treat cancer and some other conditions. They raise the risk
of bladder cancer.
- Race. Whites get bladder
cancer twice as often as African Americans and Hispanics. The lowest rates are
among Asians.
- Being a man. Men are two
to three times more likely than women to get bladder cancer.
- Family history. People
with family members who have bladder cancer are more
likely to get the disease. Researchers are studying changes in certain genes that may
increase the risk of bladder cancer.
- Personal history of bladder cancer. People who have had bladder cancer have
an increased chance of getting the disease again.
Chlorine is added to water to make it safe to drink. It kills deadly
bacteria. However, chlorine by-products sometimes can form in chlorinated water.
Researchers have been studying chlorine by-products for more than 25 years. So
far, there is no proof that chlorinated water causes bladder cancer in people.
Studies continue to look at this question.
Some studies have found that saccharin, an artificial sweetener, causes
bladder cancer in animals. However, research does not show that saccharin causes
cancer in people.
People who think they may be at risk for bladder cancer should discuss this
concern with their doctor. The doctor may suggest ways to reduce the risk and
can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.
Next: What are the symptoms of bladder cancer? »
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