Causes of bladder cancer

Some of the possible causes or risk factors for bladder cancer developing include:

Smoking

This is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer. The longer a person smokes and the more cigarettes they smoke, the greater the risk. Chemicals that cause bladder cancer are present in cigarette smoke. It’s thought that these chemicals get into the bloodstream and end up in the urine after being filtered by the kidneys. They then damage the cells that line the inside of the bladder. It takes many years for these chemicals to cause bladder cancer.

Exposure to chemicals at work

These include chemicals previously used in dye factories and industries that worked with rubber, textiles, printing, gasworks, plastics, paints and chemicals. The link between these chemicals and bladder cancer was discovered in the 1950s and 60s, so many of them were banned. However, it can take more than 25 years after exposure to these chemicals for bladder cancer to develop. If you think you were exposed to certain chemicals through your work, let your doctor know. You may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions|.

Age

It’s unusual for anyone under the age of 40 to get bladder cancer, but it becomes more common as people get older.

Gender

Bladder cancer is more common in men than in women.

Infection

Repeated (chronic) urinary infections and untreated bladder stones have been linked with a less common type of bladder cancer| called squamous cell cancer. People who are paralysed have more bladder infections and also a higher risk of getting this type of bladder cancer.

Previous treatment for cancer

Radiotherapy| to the pelvis to treat another cancer and treatment with a chemotherapy drug called cyclophosphamide| can increase your risk.

Cancer of the bladder, like all cancers, isn’t infectious and can’t be passed on to other people.