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.
