Bladder Cancer Cause

Cyclophosphamide or arsenic drugs that are used to treat cancer and other conditions raise the risk of bladder cancer.

 

Caucasians get bladder cancer twice as often as African Americans and Hispanics; the lowest rates of bladder cancer are among Asians.

 

Men are two to three times more likely than women to get bladder cancer.

 

People with family members who have bladder cancer are more likely to get the disease themselves. Researchers are studying changes in certain genes that may increase a person's risk.

 

People who have had bladder cancer have an increased chance of getting the disease again.

 

Other risk factors to take into consideration include chlorine and saccharin. Chlorine is added to water to make it safe to drink by killing deadly bacteria. However, chlorine by-products sometimes can form in chlorinated water. Researchers have been studying chlorine by-products for more than 25 years, and although there is no proof that chlorinated water is a bladder cancer cause, researchers are continuing to study chlorine by-products. Some studies have found that saccharin, an artificial sweetener, causes bladder cancer in animals. However, research does not show that saccharin causes cancer in people.

 

Bladder Cancer Causes: Final Thoughts

Although research scientists do not know the cause or causes of bladder cancer, they are continuing to search for answers. People with known risk factors and those who are concerned about bladder cancer should talk to their doctor. The doctor's advice will be based on the person's age, medical history, and other factors.