Bladder cancer
Over 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer in the UK each year.
It is mostly found in people over 50, and twice as many men as women are diagnosed. Tobacco use and working with certain chemicals are associated with a higher risk of developing the disease. Bladder cancer can be a slow growing disease, with symptoms of pain and frequency passing urine and the passage of blood.
As well as a full medical history, investigations for bladder cancer include cystoscopy (by which the doctor looks inside the bladder through a narrow tube), scans and x-rays. Early stage cancers can be removed through the cystoscope, but more advanced disease may need major surgery.
Chemotherapy can be prescribed for bladder cancer and sometimes the drug is instilled into the bladder. Radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy may also be prescribed to prevent the spread of the disease or to manage symptoms.
-
Cystectomy (removal of the bladder) is a major surgical intervention for bladder cancer that has developed beyond the initial stages
-
Urostomy is an artificial opening on the skin through which urine can be drained into a bag, bypassing the bladder
Read further information about bladder cancer on our Cancerbackup site.
Further information:
Cancerbackup
www.cancerbackup.org.uk
CancerHelp
www.cancerhelp.org.uk
Wessex Cancer Trust
www.wessexcancer.org
World Cancer Research Fund (UK)
www.wcrf-uk.org
Urostomy Association
www.uagbi.org
Support:
Share - online discussion forums
Talk to us