Bladder cancer refers to any cancer that develops in the cells of the urinary bladder. A muscular structure located in the lower part of the abdomen that holds urine is the urinary bladder. Bladder cancer develops when a few or more bladder lining cells transform and start proliferating to produce tumors.

Individuals may experience different bladder cancer symptoms, which can include:

• Blood in the urine – the most frequent symptom.
• Increased frequency of urination.
• Weight loss that was not intended.
• Painful or burning urination.
• Being unable to urinate in later stages.
• One-sided lower back pain.
• Bone pain or soreness.

The following list could represent the most frequent risk factors:

• Smoking – When a person smokes or is exposed to secondhand smoke, these chemicals enter the blood, then they are filtered by the kidneys, and then gather in the urine, harming the DNA in the cells lining the bladder.
• Long-standing or frequent bladder infections – Untreated, recurrent, or long-standing urinary tract infections or bladder infections may be more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma.
• Occupational exposure – People who work with chemicals used in the production of leather, dyes, textiles, rubber, and paint products.
• In addition, there could be other risk factors like:
• Cancer in the family – Although bladder cancer rarely runs in families, having someone in the family who has the disease may make a person more at risk.
• Gender – affects more men than women.

Complications related to bladder cancer may include:

• General fatigue.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Spread of cancer to different distant organs.
• Chronic kidney failure due to urinary obstruction.
• Emotional disturbances – Anxiety, fear, depression, continuous feeling of hopelessness.