Bladder Cancer Risk Factors

Bladder cancer risk factors are anything that increases a person's chance of developing bladder cancer. Bladder cancer risk factors include (but are not limited to) age, tobacco use, occupation, and infection. It is important to note that bladder cancer risk factors do not cause bladder cancer; however, research has shown that people with certain bladder cancer risk factors are more likely than others to develop bladder cancer.

 

Bladder Cancer Risk Factors: 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, 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.
 
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.
     

Bladder Cancer Risk Factors: Age

The likelihood of developing bladder cancer increases as people get older. People under 40 years of age rarely get bladder cancer.
 

Bladder Cancer Risk Factors: Tobacco Use

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 Risk Factors: Occupation

Some workers have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer if there are carcinogens in the workplace, such as:
 
  • Workers in the rubber, chemical, and leather industries
  • Hairdressers
  • Machinists
  • Metal workers
  • Printers
  • Painters
  • Textile workers
  • Truck drivers.
     
(Bladder Cancer Risk Factors Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD