5 risk factors for bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary system. There are many causes of bladder cancer, which are generally believed to be related to the following risk factors:

1. Long-term exposure to chemical carcinogens

According to statistics, the incidence of bladder cancer among workers engaged in dye operations is 15 to 32 times that of the general population. The reason is that the dyes they are exposed to for a long time contain carcinogens such as 2-naphthylamine, 1-naphthylamine, benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl, etc. These carcinogens can enter the body through the skin, respiratory tract or digestive tract, act in the bladder, cause malignant changes in the bladder mucosa, and induce bladder cancer.

2. Smoking

The risk of bladder cancer in smokers is four times that of the general population. Acrolein is the simplest chemical in the carcinogenic chemical composition of cigarettes. Each cigarette contains 100 mg of acrolein, which is toxic, teratogenic and possibly tumorigenic. According to statistics, 1/3 to 1/2 of bladder cancer patients have a history of smoking.

3. Sex hormone levels

The ratio of male to female bladder cancer is 3:1. The reason is that androgens and estrogens affect the gene expression of bladder tissue. Androgens can stimulate the expression of oncogenes in bladder mucosal cells, increasing the risk of bladder cancer.

4. Recurrent urinary tract infections

Recurrent urinary tract infections in women are a risk factor for renal pelvis cancer, ureteral cancer, and bladder cancer. Clinically, squamous cell carcinoma is more common in bladder cancer patients with long-term bladder infections or chronic inflammatory processes, which is related to the irregular proliferation of bladder cells caused by chronic stimulation.

5. Age

The incidence of bladder cancer is related to age, and the incidence rate of both men and women over 40 years old increases significantly. Elderly men often have symptomatic prostate hypertrophy, urination difficulties and even urinary retention. Carcinogens stay in the bladder for a longer time, which increases the stimulation to the bladder mucosa and causes it to become malignant. In addition, the body's immunity is reduced in the elderly, and the ability to eliminate malignant cells is reduced, so bladder cancer is more likely to occur.