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Bladder cancer occurs more often in men than in women. A gender bias is evident in the incidence of bladder cancer in men. A family history of bladder cancer also slightly increases the risk. Age is an important risk factor and bladder cancer is more common in people over 55 years old. Another important factor is smoking, which is one of the biggest risk factors for bladder cancer. Cigarette chemicals can build up in your urine and damage the bladder lining. Men are more likely to develop bladder cancer due to smoking than women. Other factors that increase the risk of bladder cancer in men include a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. People who work in industry develop bladder cancer because of their constant exposure to certain industrial chemicals (which are carcinogenic) that are commonly used in the paint, rubber, leather, textile and varnish industries. These risk factors are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer in both men and women. However, men are more likely to develop bladder cancer than women due to genetics and other risk factors. Hormonal differences are believed to protect women from developing this type of cancer.
The main symptom is blood in the urine (hematuria), particularly blood clots may appear bright red or cola colored. Some people experience symptoms such as frequent urination, painful urination, and back pain. Diagnosing bladder cancer begins with a combination of tests and treatments. Doctors usually order tests such as ultrasounds, urine tests, and blood tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. Imaging tests, cystoscopy or biopsy may also be necessary to confirm and assess the extent of cancer in the body. Therefore, if you notice blood in your urine or persistent urinary symptoms, contact your doctor immediately for a thorough examination. Regular examinations and rapid response to symptoms are the key to early detection and successful treatment of bladder cancer. Although bladder cancer is more common in men, it is important to understand that both men and women can develop this disease. Therefore, everyone should be aware of the dangers and symptoms. The most important step in risk prevention is quitting smoking, followed by adopting a healthy lifestyle.