Every year, urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is diagnosed with almost 20,000 women in the USA. UBC is an illness that is usually associated with aging, since it takes years for cancer to develop, according to Heather Mannuel, MD, medical oncologist at the Cormersive Center of the University of Maryland Greenbaum.
However, smoking is an important risk factor for this type of cancer, which is between 50% and 65% of new cases. And people who are currently smoking develop UBC four times more often than someone who has never had it before.
The relationship between smoking and the UBC
A few decades ago, UBC was mostly a “man disease” because more men smoked at the time than women. But in the mid -1900s, cigarette companies began to target women. Smoking was encouraged to lose weight, look nice and be cool. The campaigns were successful and more women started smoking. Unfortunately, this new habit also brought diseases in connection with smoking diseases such as UBC and chronically obstructive lung disease (COPD) so that the UBC rates have increased in women.
We all understand how smoking can be connected to lung cancer, but his relationship with UBC may not be so clear. Since the more than 7,000 chemicals and tar from cigarettes get into their lungs, many break into poisonous by -products. These by -products travel through your body and finally through your kidneys and land in your urine. Since the urine is constantly sitting in her bladder, the chemicals in the urine damage the cells in the bladder wall.
As the vaping becomes more popular, there is a question that this will be another risk factor for UBC. Mannuel said it was too early to say because cancer develops very slowly for many years. However, researchers can find the vape through biomarkers connected to UBC in the urine of humans.
Read: Biomarker 101 >>
Other risk factors for urothelial bladder cancer
Although smoking is an essential risk factor for UBC, there are also others, especially environmental toxins. In men, this exposure was often due to chemicals made of metals, dyes and colors, especially before regulations were introduced at the workplace to reduce contact. But in women it was often the those who were exposed to hair coloring. “Hairdressers, people who have been hair stylists and colorists for many years, used dyes that were much harder,” said Mannuel. “Many of these women have developed bladder cancer across the board.” And if they smoked or were exposed to cigarette smoke, their risk increased even more.
Other risk factors for bladder cancer are bladder misalignment or a defect, long -term use of urinary catheters and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Who you are, where you live, can influence the UBC diagnosis and treatment
Women are typically later diagnosed with UBC than men, while more men have this kind of cancer, women who continue to have cancer who are further and more aggressive. It is then more difficult to treat. There are several reasons for this, but it could refer to how women often look at the urine problems. Frequent signs of UBC are the need to urinate frequently, recurring bladder infections and blood in your urine.
If these characters pass men, look for help because they are unusual. But many women are used to it because Utis, who cause the same symptoms, are so common. And when women get older, they can creep up the symptoms up to the menopause before they think that it could be more serious. Therefore, they often delay the doctor – because they believe that it is only part of life as a woman.
Wherever you live is also important. According to a report published by the Association of Community Cancer Centers, people who live in rural areas or economically depressed areas are less treated with timely operation or are treated with chemotherapy. The report also says that people who are female, black or Hispan, and those with low income and level of education have an increased risk of diagnosing UBC in a more advanced stage.
It is not too late to reduce your risk of urothelial bladder cancer
iStock.com/daria Kulkova
We cannot avoid getting older, but we can change some of our behaviors that could reduce the risk of a UBC. “The number one is to stop smoking,” said Mannuel. She admitted that it is not easy to end, but it is important.
You can reduce your UBC risk by termination. If you already have UBC, smoking improves your recovery and increases the survival rates. And it reduces your risk that cancer will come back.
Here are some tips that help you quit smoking:
- Make your plan. With a termination plan you can select a date and determine how to go forward.
- Talk to your doctor about options such as nicotine replacement therapy (patches, rubber, etc.).
- Discover various smoke-free apps, online groups or personal support groups, including the CDC Quitline.
- Take a look at the tips of the American Cancer Society to stop.
- Ask friends and family for your support.
Mannuel wants women to put themselves first and their health. “When you see something that differs from your base line, look at it,” she said. “Don’t get a bit. Let yourself be examined.”
This educational resource was created with the support of Merck and BD.
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