Bladder Cancer

The bladder is an organ that receives and stores urine from the kidneys. When a tissue within the bladder becomes cancerous, it is called bladder cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, over 65,000 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in the year 2007. Only about one-fifth of that number will die from bladder cancer in the same year. Bladder cancer is the fourth leading cancer affecting males in the United States. According to the Mayo Clinic, males are four times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women.

There are three major types of bladder cancer, each affecting one of the three major cell types in the bladder. The first type is transitional cell carcinoma. Transitional cells line the bladder. They are called transitional cells because they are the transitional shape between thicker cells and flat squamous cells. A second common bladder cancer is that of the squamous cells. The third major bladder cancer is an adenocarcinoma. The affected cells are mucous- and fluid-secreting cells. When a certain cell population is continuously under stress, such as hostile conditions or a need for regeneration and repair, that population is at a higher risk for developing cancer, because cancer is an inability of cells to control their rate of growth. If a person has consistent inflammation or other irritation in his or her bladder, that person is at an elevated risk for developing squamous cell cancer or an adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinomas may also occur in people with specific rare birth defects affecting their bladders. An additional risk for squamous cell cancer is an infection.

As with many other cancers, a risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking. In fact, smoking is the greatest risk factor for bladder cancer. Additionally, occupational chemical exposure, such as to certain textile chemicals and those involved in production of hair products, paint, and rubber, may increase a person's risk for developing bladder cancer. Other risk factors include male gender, older age, or being white. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 90 percent of bladder cases in the United States develop in people greater than 55 years of age. Furthermore, white people are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as black or Hispanic people. The population with the lowest risk of bladder cancer is Asians.

Nutritionally, eating a high-fat diet or consuming excessive amounts of fried meats may leave a person at a higher risk for developing bladder cancer. A study published in 1999 by researchers at Harvard University shows that bladder cancer risk in men may [Page 259]be reduced by a diet high in cruciferous vegetable such as cauliflower. Other cruciferous vegetables include kale, broccoli, bok choy, turnips, radishes, and horseradishes. An additional study from the same researchers, also published in 1999, shows that higher fluid intake reduces the risk of bladder cancer in men. While the research on cruciferous vegetables has not been related to women, it is generally accepted that a high fluid intake and therefore dilution of toxins and regular flushing of these toxins can help anyone lower his or her risk of developing bladder cancer. Drinking water with high levels of arsenic can also increase a person's risk for bladder cancer.

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