Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is cancer that starts in the lining of the bladder, and the biggest risk factor for it is smoking. In fact, if you smoke, your chances of developing bladder cancer are more than double what they would be if you did not. Other possible causes and contributors may include chemical exposures in the workplace – especially exposure to chemicals employed in the manufacturing of dyes, but also to those used in producing rubber, leather, paint products and certain textiles. Like other cancers, bladder cancer is “staged” according to its degree of progression, or how much it has spread. Treatments may include intravesical therapy (where therapeutic drugs are injected directly into the bladder) as well a surgical interventions, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.