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On the occasion of bladder cancer awareness month, the French Urology Association wishes to alert the population to the typical symptoms of this cancer. The point on the markers to spot.
Should I remind him? Bladder cancer is the 4th most common cancer in men, and 8th in women. But it is also the 8th cancer in terms of incidence (number of new cases per year) on French territory. Faced with this major public health problem, the AFU’s urologists wish to emphasize the signs that may alert to this cancer.
Symptoms to look out for
Although 13,000 people develop bladder cancer each year, at all stages of development, few of them know the warning signs. And yet: when bladder cancer is caught in time, patient survival is over 80% at 5 years.
In fact, the recognition of typical symptoms is essential:
- Blood in the urine – although this sign is not specific to bladder cancer.
“Hematuria can be invisible to the eye (microhematuria) and detected by a urine dipstick or on the contrary lead to urine staining (macrohematuria)“, detail the urologists of the AFU.
- Urination problems such as: frequent urges, urgency, urinary burns, or the inability to urinate are also a warning sign.
“Again they are not specific since they can also evoke cystitis or prostate disorders“, say the experts.
- Finally, pain in the lower abdomen, or other more alarming signs (weight loss, persistent fatigue, bone pain, etc.).
These signs”mark the spread of bladder cancer“, they warn.
Known risk factors
Smokers (tobacco is the 2nd probable cause of bladder cancer) or people exposed to occupational toxins should be extra careful when faced with these urinary symptoms and do not hesitate to consult a urologist for a check-up.
Among other offending factors, experts cite “certain professional toxins used in chemistry (dyes, dyes, etc.), public works (tars), car repair (diesel smoke, etc.) or agriculture (arsenic)”, but also “regular infections, inflammation of the bladder (cystitis), certain diseases such as schistosomiasis or certain treatments, which can also increase the risks…“.
In this context, “the prevention of smoking is essential, just as the early detection of these cancers is necessary in order to avoid serious forms that can be life-threatening and require heavy treatment“, concludes Professor Yann Neuzillet, urologist and head of the bladder committee of the AFU.