6 risk factors for bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the urinary system. There are many causes of bladder cancer. It is generally believed that its onset is related to the following risk factors:

1. Exposure to carcinogens

Bladder cancer is related to occupational exposure. Industrial dyes, paints, inks and artificial leather contain carcinogens such as dimethylnaphthylamine, o-aminobiphenyl, p-nitrobiphenyl, p-diaminobiphenyl, and sodium diaminonaphthol. People who have been engaged in these occupations for a long time have a 20% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to the general population.

2. Smoking

Studies have shown that about 1/3 of bladder cancer is related to smoking. Smoking is the most common carcinogenic factor and is associated with the occurrence of many tumors, mainly because tobacco contains a variety of carcinogens in the form of aromatic amine derivatives.

3. Chronic bladder infection and irritation

Chronic bladder infection and long-term stimulation from foreign bodies can easily cause bladder cancer, such as bladder stones, long-term indwelling catheterization, bladder diverticulum, and Schistosoma haematobium cystitis.

4. Long-term and large-scale use of analgesics

Long-term and excessive use of analgesics, such as phenacetin, can induce bladder cancer. The reason may be that the chemical structure of phenacetin is similar to that of aniline dyes, and its incubation period may be as long as 25 years.

5. Pelvic radiotherapy

The risk of bladder cancer in patients who receive adjuvant radiotherapy after cervical cancer surgery is 2 to 4 times that of patients who receive surgical treatment alone, and the risk often persists for more than 10 years after radiotherapy.

6. Cyclophosphamide chemotherapy

The risk of bladder cancer in patients receiving cyclophosphamide chemotherapy is 9 times that of the general population, and the malignancy is higher. The latency period for bladder cancer can be as long as 6 to 13 years.

7. Others

Drinking coffee, strong tea, and consuming large amounts of artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame may be risk factors for bladder cancer.