Bladder Cancer Cause

The exact bladder cancer cause or causes are unknown; however, research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely to develop bladder cancer. Examples of risk factors for bladder cancer include a family history of bladder cancer and tobacco use. While a bladder cancer risk factor is not the same as a bladder cancer cause, a combination of such risk factors may act together to increase the risk of developing cancer. Although research scientists have not yet identified a bladder cancer cause, they are continuing to search for answers.

 

Bladder Cancer Cause: An Introduction

No one knows the exact bladder cancer cause or causes, and doctors can seldom explain why one person will get bladder cancer and another person will not. However, it is clear that bladder cancer is not contagious and no one can "catch" bladder cancer from another person. Bladder cancer research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop bladder cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease. While bladder cancer risk factors do not cause bladder cancer, they may act together to increase the bladder cancer risk.
 

Bladder Cancer Cause: Know the Risk Factors

Specific bladder cancer risk factors include:
 
  • Age
  • Tobacco use
  • Occupation
  • Infection
  • Treatment with cyclophosphamide or arsenic
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Family history
  • Previous history of bladder cancer.
     
Age
The likelihood of developing bladder cancer increases, as people get older. People under 40 years of age rarely get bladder cancer.
 
Tobacco
The use of tobacco is a major bladder cancer risk factor. Cigarette smokers are 2 to 3 times more likely than nonsmokers to get bladder cancer. Pipe and cigar smokers are also at an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
(Bladder Cancer Cause Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD