Bladder cancer is a form of cancer that is named as such, obviously, because it originates in your bladder, which is a balloon-shaped organ located within the pelvic region of the body. Typically, this type of cancer begins in the cells lining the inside of the bladder, and it typically affects older adults more than younger people.
One fortunate thing about bladder cancer, is that unlike many other forms of cancer that can be difficult to diagnose and treat at an early stage, it can actually be caught early quite often. The easy to spot bladder cancer symptoms mean that early-stage cancer can be spotted by a doctor and treated at a stage that has the highest possible successful treatment rate. However, it is possible for even early-stage cancer to recur, and bladder cancer survivors are often required to undergo follow-up tests years after their initial treatment.
Blood in the Urine:
One of many bladder cancer symptoms that patients can experience is known as "hematuria", or blood in the urine. Typically, this is the very first warning sign for bladder cancer. In some cases, there will be enough blood present so that the color of urine is changed, whereas in other instances the color will remain normal, but blood traces can still be found through a urine analysis.
Importantly, when watching for bladder cancer symptoms it's crucial for individuals to recognize that the presence of blood in the urine doesn't have to be consistent. Indeed, blood may be evident in the urine one day and absent the next. What does count is that if an individual does have bladder cancer, blood will eventually reappear.
If you do discover blood in your urine, do not jump to conclusions, as this does not necessarily mean that you do have bladder cancer. More often than not, urine tainted with blood is a result of alternative conditions, such as benign tumors, infections, or stones in the bladder or kidney.
Changes in Bladder Habits:
Another way in which bladder cancer symptoms show themselves is with changes in urination habits. For instance, patients may find that they suddenly feel the urge to urinate more often than usual, or experience pain or burning sensations during urination. Other people find that they feel as though they need to go to the bathroom urgently, even though their bladder is not yet full.
Importantly, it's worth noting once again that such signs are more likely to be caused by benign conditions such as bladder stones, infections, overactive bladders, or in men, an enlarged prostate. Still, it can be helpful to have each symptom checked by a doctor so as to find and treat the cause of the issue.
Advanced Symptoms:
Finally, instances of bladder cancer that have spread to other areas in the body or grown particularly large may also cause additional symptoms, such as the inability to urinate, swelling in the feet, bone pain, lower back pain, weight loss, and loss of appetite. If you feel as though you have a reason to suspect bladder cancer, speak to your doctor as quickly as possible, and he or she will conduct a variety of tests to check your symptoms.