Bladder Cancer: The Forgotten Threat?

You've seen the commercials of the guy running back and forth to the bathroom.

Most associate this with trouble with the prostate.

But have you considered that it could be a sign of bladder cancer?

On average there are more than 76,000 new cases of bladder cancer each year in the U.S. in 2016, and more than 16,000 people will die from the disease.

It accounts for about 5% of all new cancers in the US, and is the fourth most common cancer in men, but less common in women.

Men are 3 to 4 times more likely to get bladder cancer in their lifetime than women.

Bladder cancer is usually more common in an older population, with 9 out of 10 people over the age of 55 and the average age for diagnosis being 73.

Rates of bladder cancers and deaths from the condition have drop slightly in both men and women in recent years, due in large part to advanced imaging technology and better screenings.

Smoking is the most important risk factor for bladder calendar. Smokers are 3 times more likely to get it vs. nonsmokers.

Other risk factors include workplace exposure to some organic chemical and  arsenic in drinking water.

Symptoms can include blood in the urine, change in bladder habits (more frequency or less frequency), and pain during urination or a burning sensation.

Wednesday on the CBS 58 News at 4, Aurora Health Care Urologist Matt Johnson was be a special live guest.

He'll talk about the new program developed at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center using a multi-disciplinary approach combining medical oncology, radiation oncology and urology together to deliver the best care to patients.

Aurora Health Care says it uses the latest in technology to treat bladder tumors using both open and robotic cystectomy techniques to provide the best outcomes for patients.

Screenings are so critical to a good diagnosis, and that’s why they're encouraging people, especially an older population to get screened by their doctor, especially  for people over the target age and who are at high risk (smokers, exposure to chemicals, etc.)

There are several different ways to be tested and if caught early, treatment options can help people regain a healthy life.