This month is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. According to Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez, this type of cancer is typically caused by tobacco use and is also considered a ‘downwinder’ form of cancer common among people exposed to nuclear testing such as the tests performed in Nevada in the 1950s. Bladder cancer is typically easy to diagnose and treat, and like most forms of cancer, early detection is key.
About 74,000 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in 2015. It is described as any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ located in the pelvis where urine is stored. The most common type of bladder cancer begins in cells lining the inside of the bladder and is called transitional cell carcinoma.
Bladder cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply in the bladder without control. It typically causes blood in the urine, which may be visible to the naked eye or detectable only by microscope by your Miami urologist. Other symptoms include pain during urination, frequent urination or feeling the need to urinate without results. These signs and symptoms are not specific to bladder cancer, and are also caused by non-cancerous conditions, including prostate infections and cystitis. In some cases, kidney cancer also can cause hematuria.
Visible blood in the urine is not normal and should be evaluated by your Miami urologist as quickly as possible. While blood in the urine may not always signal bladder cancer, it is an indication that something significant may be wrong.
It’s important to remember that bladder cancer is treatable, and approximately 80 percent of bladder cancer treatments are non-invasive provided it is detected early. About 20 percent of bladder cancer treatment programs are more severe and may involve radical surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. The key is to act quickly when there is visible blood in the urine.
It is never too late to discuss visible blood in the urine with your urologist or primary care physician. If you’re experiencing signs of bladder cancer – don’t hesitate – call the office of best Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez today to schedule a confidential consultation. It could make a world of difference in maintaining a healthy bladder.
