As one of the most common forms of cancer, bladder cancer affects roughly 70,000 adults in the U.S. every year. It is more commonly diagnosed in men than woman and typically affects older adults than younger, but bladder cancer can occur in men and women of all ages. There are several different types of bladder cancer, though it most often starts in the lining of a person’s bladder.
The bladder is an essential part of the urinary tract that has the function of storing urine before it is ready to be released. When cells in your bladder begin to grow uncontrollably, they can form tumor/s that cause serious damage and spread to other parts of the body. Luckily, this type of cancer can be treated successfully when it is diagnosed and treated early.
Many risk factors are associated with this type of cancer, but it can affect anyone. People who smoke, have been exposed to certain chemicals or radiation, have chronic irritation of the bladder, and those who are above the age of 60 are considered to be at the highest risk for this type of cancer. Men, Caucasians, and those with a family history of cancer are also more susceptible to bladder cancer than others.
1. Blood in Urine
Finding blood in the urine is considered to be not only the most common symptom, but also the earliest sign of bladder cancer. The earliest stages of bladder cancer can cause little to no pain at all, and symptoms may be barely noticeable. It is estimated that about 80-90% of people who get diagnosed with this type of cancer experience hematuria (blood or blood clots in urine). Most people who experience this also report that is not painful, and its degree can vary with each person.
Experiencing blood in your urine can be different for everyone. It can be infrequent or frequent and have an unspecified amount of time between occurrences. Many people ignore this sign because it could happen rarely and without any pain or discomfort. If the blood is concentrated enough for you to notice, it could look bright red, pink or even a darker, cola-like color. There can also be smaller amounts of blood in your urine that can only be seen via a urine test.
Urine that contains blood can also be caused by a wide array of other things. While blood in your urine certainly doesn’t mean you have bladder cancer, it is the most common symptom; an important symptom to discuss with your doctor.
2. Painful Urination
If you experience pain when you urinate, it could be caused by an array of other things like bladder or urinary tract infections (UTIs). The pain can come from the bladder, the urethra, or perineum, so this pain doesn’t necessarily mean you have bladder cancer. This pain can vary in intensity, and even feel more like a burning sensation.
Most pain from urination can be explained by other causes, but any painful urination (and other associated signs) should be reported to your doctor right away. This symptom can often be misdiagnosed simply because the symptoms of bladder cancer overlap with UTIs and other infections.
3. Pelvic Pain
Many people ignore this symptom; especially women. Women often relate pelvic pain to menopause or menstrual pain, cramping, or ovarian cysts. But while pelvic pain can certainly be caused by these things, it can also be caused by other issues. Often, pelvic pain that is caused by bladder cancer is experienced in combination with other symptoms.
If your bladder has a cancerous growth, or is inflamed and infected by cancer cells, it can cause pain and discomfort around the pelvic area. This pain can be caused by a number of other issues in the body, but if it is accompanied by other bladder cancer-symptoms, consult your physician.
4. Dark Urine
Dark urine can usually be associated with blood or other contaminants. Your normal urine should have a straw-yellow-like color, but it can vary depending on your health. Both blood and the appearance of an infection can make the color of urine appear cloudy or dark.
Many people diagnosed with bladder cancer report that the blood they find in their urine is quite visible; meaning that it can clearly be seen with the naked-eye. However, in the very early stages of this type of cancer it may be hard to notice the blood clearly. Small amounts of blood, which are detectable by urine tests, can give your urine a darker appearance.
5. Frequent Urination
When a bladder is affected by cancer, it cannot do its job properly. The bladder’s job is to store urine until it needs to be released, so if cancer cells are infecting it it’s storage capabilities are weakened. Many people experience weak bladders, so it’s important to know that a sudden change into urinating more frequently is not normal.
When people age, bladders naturally become weaker. This can often lead you to ignore the sign of needing to urinate frequently. If you don’t have a UTI, kidney infection, or other urinary tract complication, frequent urination or the need to urinate frequently could be a sign of bladder cancer.
6. Inability to Urinate
In the more advanced stages of bladder cancer, you could experience the sensation of not being able to empty your bladder. This sensation is known as urinary retention. In some cases, you may not be able to urinate at all. The inability to urinate can also be associated with kidney infections/stones and other complications as well.
When bladder cancer has grown large or has spread to other places in the body, it can inhibit your ability to urinate. While this sign is often caused by blockages that are associated with less-serious conditions, it is still extremely important to seek medical attention if you cannot urinate.
7. Lower Back Pain
Pain in the lower back can be caused by a wide array of issues. It can be caused by muscle strains, hormonal fluctuations, kidney infections/stones, and more. This sign (when it is caused by cancer) is often experienced in the more advanced stages of bladder cancer. The early symptoms tend to be painless, while advanced symptoms include pain in the back, kidneys, or even in the bones.
Feeling pain in the lower back is often a sign that the cancer has begun to spread to the areas closest to the bladder. If you experience any lower back pain that is associated with any other bladder or urinary tract complications, consult with your healthcare team right away.
