Roger Kockelbergh, surgeon and clinical director of urology, University Hospitals of Leicester, lists the crucial questions and answers about bladder cancer.
Can I reduce my risk of bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer normally occurs in people over the age of 50. It's three times more common in men and much more common in smokers than non-smokers. So the most effective way to reduce your risk is to give up smoking.
Will it kill me?
There is no straightforward answer to this because it depends on individual circumstances. For most patients the outlook is good. Your consultant should be able to tell you the risks associated with your cancer.
What are the risks of the cancer spreading or recurring?
This will again depend on the individual. Your consultant should be able to tell you what the likelihood is of your cancer recurring or spreading to other areas of the body.
I’m a woman of 30 and sometimes get cystitis. Am I more likely to get bladder cancer when I’m older?
No. There is no evidence to suggest that bladder infections lead to a greater risk of developing bladder cancer in later life.
Could I mistake the signs of bladder cancer for a bladder infection?
The most common warning sign of bladder cancer is passing blood in the urine. If you have this symptom, see your GP. If your bladder infection doesn't go away after treatment or if no infection is present on testing, your doctor should investigate further. Remember that bladder cancer is most likely to occur in smokers over 55. So if you are in this risk group and you think you have a bladder infection, see your GP.
