do women get bladder cancer

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer in a female?

SymptomsBlood in urine (hematuria), which may cause urine to appear bright red or cola colored, though sometimes the urine appears normal and blood is detected on a lab test.Frequent urination.Painful urination.Back pain.

At what age do women get bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer occurs mainly in older people. About 9 out of 10 people with this cancer are over the age of 55. The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 73.

What is usually the first symptom of bladder cancer?

In most cases, blood in the urine (called hematuria) is the first sign of bladder cancer. There may be enough blood to change the color of the urine to orange, pink, or, less often, dark red.

What is the leading cause of bladder cancer?

Smoking is the most important risk factor for bladder cancer. People who smoke are at least 3 times as likely to get bladder cancer as people who don’t. Smoking causes about half of all bladder cancers.

What are the 5 warning signs of bladder cancer?

Here are five warning signs to watch for:Blood in the urine (hematuria). This is the most common early symptom of bladder cancer and typically the first sign of bladder cancer that is seen. … UTI-like symptoms. … Unexplained pain. … Decreased appetite. … Postmenopausal uterine bleeding.

Do you feel ill with bladder cancer?

Nausea and vomiting. Burning or pain when you urinate, feeling the need to go often, or blood in urine. Diarrhea. Feeling tired.

What are the signs that something is wrong with your bladder?

Some common signs and symptoms of bladder issues include:Bladder leakage.Pain or a burning sensation during urination.Cloudy urine.Persistent, strong urge to urinate.Urinating frequently in small amounts.Frequent urination (more than eight times during the day or more than two times at night)Urine that smells strong.More items…

Who is at high risk for bladder cancer?

The chances of being diagnosed with bladder cancer increases with age. More than 70% of people with bladder cancer are older than 65. Gender. Men are 4 times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women, but women are more likely to die from bladder cancer than men.

How do they check for bladder cancer?

Cystoscopy. Cystoscopy is the key diagnostic procedure for bladder cancer. It allows the doctor to see inside the body with a thin, lighted, flexible tube called a cystoscope. Flexible cystoscopy is performed in a doctor’s office and does not require anesthesia, which is medication that blocks the awareness of pain.

Can you have bladder cancer for years and not know it?

It may be seen as a symptom of post-menopausal bleeding, simple cystitis or a urinary tract infection. As a result, a bladder cancer diagnosis can be overlooked for a year or more.

Does bladder cancer show up in blood tests?

Tests to diagnose bladder cancer If bladder cancer is suspected, these tests may be performed to diagnose the disease: Physical exam. Blood test: Blood samples are used to measure certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body.

Does coffee cause cancer of the bladder?

In summary, findings from this large meta-analysis of prospective studies suggest that coffee consumption was not significantly associated with long-term risk of bladder cancer. Such a null association was similar for men and women, and was confirmed in never smokers.

How many women have bladder cancer in 2016?

Bladder Cancer in Women. In 2016, about 18,000 women will be told they have bladder cancer. Your bladder is an organ in your pelvic area that holds urine. Most bladder cancers start in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. One of the first signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine ( hematuria ).

Can you get bladder cancer at any age?

Bladder cancer can affect women at any age. One of the most common signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Because early signs are often ignored, women have a higher chance of being told they have an advanced stage of bladder cancer than men. Smoking is by far the greatest risk factor. Smokers get bladder cancer twice as often as non-smokers.

Where does bladder cancer start?

Your bladder is an organ in your pelvic area that holds urine. Most bladder cancers start in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. One of the first signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine ( hematuria ). Blood can either be seen with the naked eye (gross) or seen only under a microscope (microscopic).

How do you know if you have bladder cancer?

One of the first signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine ( hematuria ). Blood can either be seen with the naked eye (gross) or seen only under a microscope (microscopic). Many women ignore blood in their urine because they think it’s normal in females. Other signs of bladder cancer are frequent or painful passing of urine, back pain, …

Why do women ignore blood in their urine?

Many women ignore blood in their urine because they think it’s normal in females. Other signs of bladder cancer are frequent or painful passing of urine, back pain, stomach pain and the feeling as if you need to go to the bathroom right away (urgency). Be sure to see a health care provider if you have any of these signs.

What is the treatment for bladder cancer?

Based on the stage of the cancer and other factors, your treatment could include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or other therapies. What You Need to Know: Bladder cancer is usually treatable, but finding it early is vital. Bladder cancer can affect women at any age.

Is bladder cancer treatable?

What You Need to Know: Bladder cancer is usually treatable, but finding it early is vital. Bladder cancer can affect women at any age. One of the most common signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Because early signs are often ignored, women have a higher chance of being told they have an advanced stage of bladder cancer than men.

Benign and serious causes of hematuria

Some medications and certain foods, such as berries, rhubarb and beets, can turn urine red. Red blood cells can make urine red, pink or cola colored.

Getting to the root cause

If you’re urine appears red, pink or cola colored, make an appointment to see your health care provider. Your health care provider typically reviews your diet, medications and medical history first. Then you may have a pelvic exam to check your vagina for issues that could have led to vaginal bleeding.

Mark D. Tyson II, M.D

Mark D. Tyson II, M.D., is a urologic oncologist, with subspecialty interest in bladder cancer, at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. His clinical focus includes treatments for muscle invasive and nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

Is bladder cancer higher in women?

However, that percentage is lower in women, because symptoms are often overlooked. Women have a 1 in 89 chance of developing bladder cancer in their lifetime (Source: American Cancer Society – Key Statistics for Bladder Cancer). However, bladder cancer in women is on the rise. Approximately 90% of bladder cancer cases are in individuals …

Is bladder cancer a woman’s disease?

While bladder cancer typically hasn’t been associated with women, it is important to understand the unique way that bladder cancer does affect women, and why it’s critical that bladder cancer isn’t overlooked. Approximately 50% of cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still in the bladder.

Is bladder cancer more common in men than women?

Bladder cancer may not be on your radar even if you’re vigilant about getting routine GYN care. After all, it’s far more common among men than women, and the majority of cases affect patients over age 65. However, don’t let those stats keep you from learning to spot the warning signs.

How many women get bladder cancer each year?

However, don’t let those stats keep you from learning to spot the warning signs. While bladder cancer isn’t one of the most common cancers in women, about 18,000 women are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year in the United States (Source: CDC – Bladder Cancer) .

Is bladder cancer on the rise?

However, bladder cancer in women is on the rise. Approximately 90% of bladder cancer cases are in individuals over 55 years old, so it is important to be extra vigilant of early signs of bladder cancer as you age. Bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate. If you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, it is important to continue …

How many people have bladder cancer at 55?

Approximately 90% of bladder cancer cases are in individuals over 55 years old, so it is important to be extra vigilant of early signs of bladder cancer as you age. Bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate. If you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, it is important to continue to receive regular exams in order to handle any potential …

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Here are five warning signs to watch for: Blood in the urine (hematuria). This is the most common early symptom of bladder cancer and typically the first sign of bladder cancer that is seen. It’s easy for women to overlook because it’s typically painless and can go weeks or even months between occurrences.

What Every Woman Should Know

Amy Kiefer, PhD, is a freelance science writer focused on health and biology.

Bladder Cancer Symptoms

Many cases of bladder cancer are asymptomatic, and the early signs and symptoms of bladder cancer tend to be mild and intermittent.

Causes and Risk Factors

As with many cancers, both hereditary and environmental factors affect your risk of bladder cancer. The bladder receives urine from your kidneys, which filter your blood. The bladder, therefore, has high levels of exposure to various environmental toxins and carcinogens.

Diagnosis

Bladder cancer is typically diagnosed by reviewing a patient’s health history and physical symptoms. 10 Your doctor will also perform a physical exam of the pelvis to look for an abnormal mass. For women, this means a recto-vaginal exam .

Disparity in Cases

Bladder cancer is three to four times more common in men than in women. The American Cancer Society estimated the diagnosis of 64,280 new cases in men and 19,450 new cases in women in 2021 in the United States, and that bladder cancer would cause 12,260 deaths in men and 4,940 deaths in women. 1

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with bladder cancer, the proper treatment plan will help optimize your health and chances of recovery. Your specific treatment plan will depend on the stage of the cancer (how far it has spread) and the grade of the cancer (how abnormal the cancer cells look), as well as other factors.

A Word From Verywell

If detected early, bladder cancer is highly treatable. Because doctors often assume the early symptoms of bladder cancer in women are the result of other, more common conditions like UTIs, postmenopausal bleeding, or bladder inflammation ( cystitis ), diagnosis in women is often delayed. 5

Can bladder cancer be diagnosed later?

Research has shown that women are diagnosed with bladder cancer at later stages than men. 3,4 Research also shows that bladder cancer in women can be more difficult to treat when it is diagnosed later. Researchers are still trying to understand why, but there may be several reasons for this.

What is the name of the drug that treats bladder cancer?

For some patients with a genetic mutation found in some bladder cancers (FGFR), targeted therapy may be an option. The drug Balversa (generic name erdafitinib) was approved in April 2019 to treat certain bladder cancers. This drug focuses on tumor cells with certain genetic changes, making it more specialized and targeted. This helps reduce damage to other, healthy cells and increases effectiveness. 5

Why are men more likely to get bladder cancer than women?

Men are more likely to develop bladder cancer than women are. Exposure to certain chemicals. Your kidneys play a key role in filtering harmful chemicals from your bloodstream and moving them into your bladder. Because of this, it’s thought that being around certain chemicals may increase the risk of bladder cancer.

What type of cancer is a bladder cancer?

Types of bladder cancer include: Urothelial carcinoma. Urothelial carcinoma , previously called transitional cell carcinoma, occurs in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Urothelial cells expand when your bladder is full and contract when your bladder is empty.

Where is the bladder located?

Your kidneys, located in the rear portion of your upper abdomen, produce urine by filtering waste and fluid from your blood. Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow muscular organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine. Bladder cancer most often begins in …

Where does bladder cancer start?

Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow muscular organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine. Bladder cancer most often begins in the cells (urothelial cells) that line the inside of your bladder. Urothelial cells are also found in your kidneys and the tubes (ureters) …

Can bladder cancer come back?

But even early-stage bladder cancers can come back after successful treatment. For this reason, people with bladder cancer typically need follow-up tests for years after treatment to look for bladder cancer that recurs.

How do you know if you have bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer signs and symptoms may include: Blood in urine (hematuria), which may cause urine to appear bright red or cola colored, though sometimes the urine appears normal and blood is detected on a lab test. Frequent urination. Painful urination. Back pain.

How does bladder cancer develop?

Bladder cancer develops when cells in the bladder begin to grow abnormally, forming a tumor in the bladder. Bladder cancer begins when cells in the bladder develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell’s DNA contains instructions that tell the cell what to do.

Is bladder cancer less common in women?

The rates of new bladder cancers and deaths linked to bladder cancer and have been dropping slightly in women in recent years. In men, incidence rates have been decreasing, but death rates have been stable. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, but it’s less common in women.

What is the risk of bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer occurs mainly in older people. About 9 out of 10 people with this cancer are over the age of 55. The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 73. Overall, the chance men will develop this cancer during their life is about 1 in 27. For women, the chance is about 1 in 89.

How common is bladder cancer in 2021?

How common is bladder cancer? The American Cancer Society’s estimates for bladder cancer in the United States for 2021 are: About 83,730 new cases of bladder cancer (about 64,280 in men and 19,450 in women) The rates of new bladder cancers and deaths linked to bladder cancer and have been dropping slightly in women in recent years.

How old is the average person with bladder cancer?

About 9 out of 10 people with this cancer are over the age of 55. The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 73.

What is the average age for bladder cancer?

The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 73. Overall, the chance men will develop this cancer during their life is about 1 in 27. For women, the chance is about 1 in 89. (But each person’s chances of getting bladder cancer can be affected by certain risk factors .)

Where is bladder cancer found?

About half of all bladder cancers are first found while the cancer is still found only in the inner layer of the bladder wall. (These are non-invasive or in situ cancers .) About 1 in 3 bladder cancers have spread into deeper layers but are still only in the bladder. In most of the remaining cases, the cancer has spread to nearby tissues …

Does bladder cancer spread to distant parts of the body?

Rarely (in about 4% of cases), it has spread to distant parts of the body. Black patients are slightly more likely to have more advanced disease when they’re diagnosed, compared to whites. Survival statistics are discussed in Survival Rates for Bladder Cancer. Visit the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center for more key statistics.

Symptoms of bladder cancer in women

i have been to the doctors 4 times in as many weeks with blood in my urine. The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics which didn’t work so prescribed another which also didn’t work. Results from the urine samples stated no infection in any of the samples so took the antibiotics unnecessarily.

Symptoms of bladder cancer in women

Hi there Edith, welcome to the forum, but sorry for why you’re here. I can relate to your frustration around your bladder issue. I had a similar experience when I first started to have blood in my urine. I got the run-around too and it wasn’t until I said, enough is enough, listen to what I’m telling you. I need to see a urologist for this issue.

Symptoms of bladder cancer in women

Hello Lorraine Thank you for your very kind message. It’s much appreciated right now. I am so sorry that you have been dealing with B C for the last four years and I wish you good health in 2017! Yes I am having further tests next week.

Symptoms of bladder cancer in women

Hi Edith, my symptoms prior to diagnosis, were bleeding of course, and a frequency to urinate, as well as a really different odour to my urine. Other than that, I had no pain, fever, etc. but the doctor said it was likely that the bleeding was coming from my uterus, so I had to go for an ultrasound.

Symptoms of bladder cancer in women

Hi Lorraine, sorry to but in on the post, but ive just had a cystoscopy/TURBT and my consultant found a tumour the size of a satsuma, he said it goes from my bladder to my cervix, he said he removed some of it but not all, when i woke from the aneasthetic and he told me i asked him if he thinks its benign and he shook his head and said no, i also asked him if he thinks its treatable which he said lets just wait for results and scans and stuff but in the long term probably looking at total bladder removal.

Symptoms of bladder cancer in women

Since my ovarian diagnosis I have had repeated UTI and when they sent it to the lab it came back clear the majority of the time, but it mentioned blood was present. I was referred to a urologist who looked inside my bladder it was cancer free, but the blood was from inflammation, so was put on a low dose of antibiotics for 6 months.

Symptoms of bladder cancer in women

Which antibiotics were you on, as I have had three different ones and nothing has worked!

Can bladder cancer cause a change in urination?

Bladder cancer can sometimes cause changes in urination, such as: Having to urinate more often than usual. Pain or burning during urination. Feeling as if you need to go right away, even when your bladder isn’t full. Having trouble urinating or having a weak urine stream.

Can bladder cancer spread to other parts of the body?

Bladder cancers that have grown large or have spread to other parts of the body can sometimes cause other symptoms, such as: Again, many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than bladder cancer, but it’s important to have them checked.

Why is bladder cancer so early?

Bladder cancer can often be found early because it causes blood in the urine or other urinary symptoms that cause a person to see a health care provider.

Does bladder cancer cause blood in urine?

Usually, the early stages of bladder cancer (when it’s small and only in the bladder) cause bleeding but little or no pain or other symptoms. Blood in the urine doesn’t always mean you have bladder cancer.

How do you know if you have bladder cancer?

Bladder cancers that have grown large or have spread to other parts of the body can sometimes cause other symptoms, such as: Being unable to urinate. Lower back pain on one side. Loss of appetite and weight loss. Feeling tired or weak.

Can bladder cancer cause lower back pain?

Bladder cancers that have grown large or have spread to other parts of the body can sometimes cause other symptoms, such as: Being unable to urinate. Lower back pain on one side. Loss of appetite and weight loss. Feeling tired or weak.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Being unable to urinate. Lower back pain on one side. Loss of appetite and weight loss. Feeling tired or weak. Swelling in the feet. Bone pain. Again, many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than bladder cancer, but it’s important to have them checked.

Types of Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer Symptoms

• In many cases, there are significant delays in diagnosing bladder cancer in women. Many women ignore the most basic symptomblood in the urinewhich they may associate with menstruation or menopause and delay reporting this symptom to their doctors. Even after reporting the problem to their doctors, blood in the urine may be initially misdiagnosed as…

See more on bcan.org

Causes and Risk Factors

Diagnosis

Disparity in Cases

Treatment

A Word from Verywell