Introduction

Causes
The precise causes of bladder cancer are unknown although it is associated with exposure to tobacco and certain chemicals.

Risk Factors and Warning Signs
The risk of developing bladder cancer is greater for individuals who have:

Tobacco Use Habit: According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is responsible for approximately 47 percent of bladder cancer deaths among men and 37 percent among women

Industrial Chemicals and Dyes Exposure

Certain Birth Defects of the Bladder

The most common warning sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine (hematuria), which does not necessarily change the color of the urine. Other symptoms may include:

Change in bladder habits, including having to urinate more often

Having a feeling of needing to urinate but not being able to

• Difficulty initiating or stopping urine flow
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Painful urination
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of weight or appetite
• Persistent lower back, upper thigh or pelvic pain