Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer affects both men and women and is responsible for approximately 3% (Aua.com.au, n.d.) of all cancers diagnosed in Australia each year.
Bladder cancer affects both men and women and is responsible for approximately 3% (Aua.com.au, n.d.) of all cancers diagnosed in Australia each year.
The risk of developing bladder cancer increases with age. In fact, most people diagnosed are 60 or older (Cancer Council NSW, 2013), with men about three times more likely than women to be diagnosed with bladder cancer. Currently, there is no screening test used routinely to screen for bladder cancer in Australia.
Statistically, there were 2,459 new cases of bladder cancer in Australia in 2010 (Canceraustralia.gov.au, 2015). Since then, more than 2400 Australians have been diagnosed with bladder cancer each year (Canceraustralia.gov.au, 2015). However, that figure is tipped to rise by 2020, when it is estimated that around 2,800 Australians will be diagnosed with bladder cancer (Canceraustralia.gov.au, 2015).
But there is some good news. Incidence rates for bladder cancer have decreased in recent years, from 17.9 cases per 100,000 people in 1982 to 10.1 cases per 100,000 in 2010 (Canceraustralia.gov.au, 2015).
Although definite causes are unknown at this stage, certain factors are known to be associated with the risk of developing the disease. These include:
- Smoking — smokers are three to four times more likely to get the disease than nonsmokers.
- Age — the older you are the more susceptible you are to the disease
- Gender — men are four times more likely to develop bladder cancer
- Exposure to chemicals — especially in the textile, petrochemical and rubber industries
- Repeated chronic bladder infections — particularly if inflammation from foreign objects (eg a catheter) is ever-present
- Treatments for other cancers— including some chemotherapy and radiography treatments
Non-invasive vs invasive
Bladder cancer can either be superficial (non-invasive) or invasive. Non-invasive bladder cancer means that the cancer is contained to the lining of the bladder. Invasive bladder describes a cancer that has moved in the bladder muscle wall and possibly beyond. These type of cancers are much harder to treat.
Generally though, there are three main types of bladder cancer and each is determined by the type of cell in which the cancer first develops.
