Bladder Cancer: Ways to Detect A Serious Problem

For those diagnosed with bladder cancer, knowing which medications and treatments to use is of the utmost importance.

The bladder is part of the urinary tract system responsible for storing urine until it is ready to be excreted. Bladder cancer occurs when the growth of abnormal cells clump together and form tumors in the bladder. Although the cause is unknown, experts agree smoking and exposure to certain chemicals may increase the risk. Most bladder cancers occur in individuals over sixty years old and are highly treatable when caught in their early stages.

In order to catch bladder cancer as early as possible, it's crucial to be aware of the warning signs of this condition. Reveal the full details on this now.

Anemia

Anemia is a common symptom of cancer, though, unfortunately, it may be hard to link to the bladder. Anemia occurs when there are low levels of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which is needed to deliver oxygen throughout the body. One of the main symptoms of anemia is fatigue. To avoid symptoms of anemia, affected individuals may want to consider taking a blood builder to support their iron levels and red blood cell production. Red blood cell levels may be depleted by certain cancers that cause blood loss. If anemia is accompanied by blood in the urine, affected individuals should seek immediate treatment.

Read more about the different symptoms linked to bladder cancer now.

Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss or a lack of appetite is an early sign of many diseases. While experiencing weight loss alone might not be a cause for concern, it may be a sign of an underlying condition, including various forms of cancer, such as bladder cancer. A lack of appetite or disinterest in food may be associated with cancer when nausea or feelings of sickness are also present. Keep in mind the common cold may also cause a disruption in appetite. If these feelings persist for longer than two weeks, patients should consult a doctor.

Keep reading to get familiar with more warning signs linked to the development of bladder cancer now.

Back Or Pelvic Pain

Back pain may occur for many different reasons, and due to this, it is hard to pinpoint it as a symptom of bladder cancer. But if the pain surrounds an individual's kidneys and is accompanied by any other symptoms, it very well might be a sign of cancer. If the pain persists and the patient's doctor has ruled out an infection or other illnesses, a bladder cancer test might be in order. To relieve back pain, affected individuals may want to consider pain relief therapy to decrease discomfort. Pelvic or bone pain may also be an indication of different types of cancer, including bladder cancer.

Continue reading to uncover details on more potential bladder cancer warning signs now.

Urinary Tract Infections

Symptoms of urinary tract infections may include pelvic or back pain, blood in the urine, and an increased urge to urinate. Recurring urinary tract infections might be a sign of bladder cancer. More than three million cases of urinary tract infections occur each year, and while not all are related to cancer, individuals who experience more than one in a three month period should visit their primary doctor to get checked out anyway. Urinary tract infections are more common in women, but men are prone to getting them as well. Individuals who are prone to urinary tract infections may want to try Pro-Women Probiotics to help limit infections.

Get more information regarding the various warning signs linked to bladder cancer to be on the lookout for now.

Pain While Urinating And Frequent Urge To Urinate

Dysuria, or painful urination, is an early warning sign of bladder cancer. It may occur when tumors or other growths cause pressure that pushes on the individual's bladder, resulting in pain. Regardless of their size, tumors can cause a burning sensation or radiating pain while individuals are urinating. Pain can also occur as a result of changes in the bladder due to the growth of abnormal cells.

Patients may also experience a frequent urge to urinate A constant urge to urinate but only releasing a small amount of urine each time is a symptom of bladder cancer. Urinating more often than usual can be a sign of many health problems, including urinary tract infections or menopause. But if cancer is present, the urge will not go away as the tumor or abnormal cells inside the bladder may be applying constant pressure. Those who experience a frequent urge to urinate along with bladder pain should seek immediate treatment.

Discover additional symptoms of bladder cancer now.

Hematuria

Hematuria or blood present in the urine is usually the first indication of bladder cancer. Depending on the amount of blood present in the urine, the color may range from pink or orange to dark red. In some cases, the color may be normal to the naked eye, but a urinalysis is able to detect smaller amounts of blood. Blood in the urine that is able to be seen by the naked eye is called gross hematuria, while blood in the urine detected only by urinalysis is called microscopic hematuria. Hematuria as a symptom of bladder cancer is an intermittent occurrence that happens one day but maybe not the next. It is possible for there to be no blood in the urine for weeks in an individual with bladder cancer, but the blood always returns at some point. Blood appears in the urine in individuals who have bladder cancer because most forms of bladder cancer originate in the cells that line the bladder in the form of squamous cell carcinoma and sarcomas. The invasion of rapidly multiplying cancer cells into the inner tissues of the bladder causes cellular damage, including damage to cells that make up blood vessels. When these cells become damaged, blood leaks out into the bladder and mixes with the urine.

Learn more about bladder cancer symptoms now.

Not Being Able To Pass Urine

An individual who reports not being able to pass urine can be a manifestation of bladder cancer. The urinary tract functions to drain urine from the body. The kidneys filter these unneeded fluids and wastes out of the bloodstream. The urine then flows down two small narrow muscular tubes called ureters. From the ureters, urine flows into an individual's bladder. The bladder expands to accommodate urine. As the bladder fills up to its fluid capacity, nerves in the region send signals to the brain that it is time to urinate. The individual then controls when and where the sphincters in the bladder and urethra open to allow urine to flow out. The muscles around the bladder and the sphincters work together to hold urine in the bladder until the individual is ready to urinate. Bladder cancer can expand to the point where it causes one or more of the sphincters to be unable to open. A bladder tumor can also compress and pinch the urethra itself, which prevents urine from being excreted. In addition, malignant bladder tumors can grow in and around the bladder outlet, not allowing urine to pass.

Read about more warning signs of bladder cancer now.

Changes In Urine Color

Changes in urine color often occur in individuals affected by bladder cancer. This appearance is the result of the presence of abnormal substances that mix in with the urine. When urine turns anywhere from a pink to a very dark red shade, this is a common indication there is hemoglobin or myoglobin in the urine. Urine that turns a rust red, very dark brown or even black can indicate the presence of a significant amount of blood in the urine. When an individual has not consumed enough fluids, they may experience dark yellow or even orange-colored urine when it contains blood. This urine color is the result of a high concentration of yellow-colored urea in the urine mixing with blood. The urine may contain pieces of actual tissue shed from the bladder lining as a result of the cancerous cells invading into the walls of the bladder. Bladder cancer can cause an individual to drink more fluids and urinate more often than usual, which can cause the urine to be diluted and appear clear.

Continue to reveal more symptoms linked to bladder cancer now.

Swollen Feet

An individual who has an advanced stage of bladder cancer may experience swollen feet. Bladder cancer cells typically begin to multiply in the interior bladder wall lining, forming malignant tumors. The malignant cells can then penetrate through the urothelium or interior bladder lining and keep multiplying within the muscular tissues of the bladder wall. The cancerous cells can metastasize to the blood and other organ systems in the body when it is left untreated. A common part of the body bladder cancer spreads to is the lymph nodes. The lymphatic system functions to trap and destroy substances in the body, such as bacteria and waste products that do not belong there. Protein-rich lymph fluid flows throughout a complex network of capillaries and vessels in the body to accomplish this function. The lymph fluid carries these unwanted substances to nearby lymph nodes, which filter the fluid of the impurities and return it back into circulation. When bladder cancer spreads into nearby lymph nodes, the healthy flow of lymph fluid can become obstructed. When lymph fluid accumulates in the lymph vessels, it diffuses out into the soft tissue that lies below the skin. When the blockage occurs in the lower body, the feet will experience swelling due to this fluid build up in the soft tissues.

Get more details on warning signs associated with bladder cancer now.

Fatigue And Weakness

A characteristic of advanced stage bladder cancer, fatigue and weakness can be a manifestation of the disease in affected individuals. All cells in the body require certain nutrients and oxygen in order to carry out their own processes to perform their function and produce their energy. Nutrients absorbed from the food an individual consumes are packaged in the stomach and small intestine, and then they are transported to other organs such as the liver for further synthesis. The nutrients are eventually secreted into the bloodstream where they are carried to all of the cells around the body. The cells absorb the nutrients and utilize them in metabolic processes to produce a form of cellular energy called ATP. ATP makes it possible for each differentiated cell to carry out their specific role collectively in the main function of tissues and organs. Cancer is characterized by cells that do not function and multiply rapidly, causing damage to surrounding tissues. While cancer cells serve no useful purpose to an individual's body, they confiscate a significant portion of the nutrients all cells need to produce energy. This malfunction leaves less overall nutrients and oxygen for the healthy cells to utilize in their own processes. This mechanism causes an affected individual to experience feelings of fatigue and weakness as their body attempts to conserve the small amount of energy it has.