Bladder cancer is the most common urinary system carcinoma, which is more prevalent in males than females and those who are over 50 years old. According to an oncologist from Clifford Hospital Oncology Center, most people do not know much about bladder cancer and consider it a rare disease. Actually, bladder cancer is a very common disease with an increasing incidence rate. It is a disease we should be concerned about.


Bladder cancer is different from gastric cancer,lung cancer, hepatic cancer, etc, the tumor size of which is easy to define through common medical imaging equipment. In current examinations, x-ray can screen lung lesion, and B-ultrasound can screen liver, gallbladder, pancreatic and kidney diseases, and tumor marker tests can show various kinds of gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and so on. However, there is no specific screening test to detect bladder cancer.


How can we detect bladder cancer at early stage? The Oncologist points out that one common symptom of early stage bladder cancer is intermittent painless hematuria. People over 30 with this symptom are considered to be highly at risk for bladder cancer. A B-ultrasound exam should be taken to check whether there is a tumor in the bladder. And if necessary, a cystoscopy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis even though B-ultrasound result is normal.


As for bladder cancer prevention, the oncologist suggests the following:

1. Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. It is advised to quit smoking and drinking. Plenty of water, vegetables and fruits are recommended. Smoked, spicy or moldy food should be reduced or avoided.

2. Pay attention to daily urination. In case of hematuria, difficult defecation, back pain or lower abdomen pain, please visit the hospital immediately.

3. Have a regular check-up every year. It is very helpful to prevent disease and improve health management.