Bladder Cancer

Incontinence can be annoying and it can negatively impact your life, but can it be a sign of something worse?

Unfortunately, yes.

The Incontinence Institute always encourages people with bladder or bowel incontinence symptoms (frequency, urgency, leaks during physical activity, getting up at night to use the restroom, and so on) to see a physician. This is for a few reasons:

1. See a physician because conditions like overactive bladder syndrome are easily treatable. In fact, treatment options for bladder incontinence range from physical therapy and medication to minimally invasive surgery.

2. See a physician to rule out any other serious health issues. Incontinence can be linked to uncontrolled diabetes, multiple sclerosis, other neurological conditions, and even bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the bladder, and it is the sixth most common type of cancer. In 2013, there were 72,570 new cases of bladder cancer.

Facts About Bladder Cancer

• There are three types of bladder cancer.
• Risks for bladder cancer include:
  • smoking and tobacco use
  • family history
  • exposure to certain chemicals
  • using catheters for a long time
  • history of bladder infections.
• Symptoms of bladder cancer include:
  • Blood in urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Pain during urination
  • Lower back pain
• As with all cancers, the prognosis depends on how early it is caught, what stage the cancer is in, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

Frequent urination is one of the most common symptoms of bladder incontinence. It could be caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles, injury from childbirth, as a symptom of multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes or neurologic conditions, as a complication following surgery, enlarged prostate, or other benign causes.

If you are suffering from frequent urination, it is important to see a physician. Only they can rule out bladder cancer. A physician can also help you start treatment because bladder issues are extremely treatable.

Many people are very embarrassed about having bladder incontinence, and this is understandable. It has been reported that some people with incontinence wait up to seven years to seek treatment. They are ashamed of losing control of their body, and they don’t even want to tell their physician. We want patients to remember that they cannot control what their body is doing and it isn’t their fault.

If you are suffering from incontinence, contact us. Or call our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-771-1953.