Edit Content
Search
[give_form id="19690"]

9 Warning Signs Of Bladder Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore

Bladder cancer is a serious condition that affects thousands of people each year. Early detection plays a crucial role in successful treatment, making it essential to recognize the warning signs and symptoms. While the symptoms listed below could be attributed to a range of potential causes or conditions, engaging in a conversation about them with your doctor is important in order to exclude the possibility of bladder cancer lurking beneath the surface.

Warning Sign 1: Blood in the urine (hematuria)

One of the most common signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, known as hematuria. This can manifest as pink, red, or cola-colored urine. While hematuria doesn’t always indicate bladder cancer (sometimes it’s a sign of kidney stones or a urinary tract infection),, it should never be ignored.

According to the American Cancer Society, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional if you notice blood in your urine, even if it occurs just once. Your doctor may order special urine tests that can examine the urine under a microscope to look for cancerous cells.

Warning Sign 2: Frequent urination

If you find yourself making more frequent trips to the bathroom without any apparent reason, it might be a cause for concern. While various factors can contribute to frequent urination, it could also be a symptom of bladder cancer.

The key here is to notice a change in your normal patterns. If you notice a sudden increase in the frequency of urination, especially if it’s accompanied by other warning signs, it’s important to consult your doctor for an evaluation.

Warning Sign 3: Painful urination

Pain or discomfort during urination can indicate several conditions, including bladder cancer. If you experience a burning sensation, discomfort, or pain while passing urine, it’s essential to seek medical attention.

 It’s worth noting that painful urination can also be caused by urinary tract infections or other conditions, but it’s always better to get it checked out to rule out any serious underlying issues.

Warning Sign 4: Urgency to urinate

Feeling an urgent need to urinate, even when your bladder isn’t full, can be another potential symptom of bladder cancer. If you constantly feel the need to rush to the bathroom, it’s important to discuss this symptom with your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend further tests if necessary.

Warning Sign 5: Lower back pain

Lower back pain is a common complaint, but in some cases, it can be an indication of bladder cancer. If you experience persistent lower back pain (especially on one side) that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain medications, talk to your doctor about it. While bladder cancer is not the most common cause of lower back pain, it’s essential to rule it out, especially if you have other accompanying symptoms.

Warning Sign 6: Pelvic pain or discomfort

Bladder cancer can sometimes cause pain or discomfort in the pelvic area. This pain may feel like pressure, heaviness, or a dull ache. If you notice persistent pelvic pain or discomfort, it’s important to have it evaluated by a healthcare professional. They can determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate tests or treatments.

Warning Sign 7: Unexplained weight loss

If you’ve been losing weight without making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, it could be a potential warning sign of bladder cancer. Unexplained weight loss is often a cause for concern and should be discussed with your doctor.

While weight loss can have various causes, it’s crucial to ensure that bladder cancer is not the underlying reason.

Warning Sign 8: Fatigue and weakness

Fatigue and weakness are symptoms that can be attributed to many health issues, but they can also occur in bladder cancer patients. If you experience persistent fatigue and weakness that doesn’t improve with rest, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider. They can assess your symptoms and conduct further tests to determine the underlying cause.

Warning Sign 9: Swelling in the lower legs

In some cases, bladder cancer can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the lower legs, resulting in swelling. This swelling, also known as edema, may be accompanied by discomfort or a feeling of heaviness in the legs.

If you notice persistent swelling in your lower legs without any apparent cause, it’s important to bring it to the attention of your healthcare provider. They can assess your symptoms and determine if further evaluation is needed.

Bladder cancer is a serious condition, but detecting it early can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Taking a proactive approach to your health starts with recognizing and understanding the warning signs. Our bodies are remarkable communicators, and tracking significant changes from our personal norms can provide valuable insights. While many of the symptoms mentioned above can indicate various conditions, being attuned to your body and noting any deviations in your specific patterns can be a powerful tool in catching conditions like bladder cancer at an early stage, before they have an opportunity to advance. If you experience any of these warning signs, it’s important to schedule an appointment and have a conversation with your doctor.

Sources:

Comments

3 Responses

  1. No blood in urine. No pain either but when I pee as a male I pee then 10 seconds again I pee a little then 10 seconds again I pee a little again this is a 4 time ritual every time I go. If I have sat to go no 2 and get up to wipe. I start peeing again while I’m wiping. I have to wear diapers to bed because I sometimes wet myself during the night. Age 70

  2. I’ve had microscopic hematuria for years. Now my doctor tells me I have abnormal cells in my urine. Is this cause for concern?

  3. I had bladder cancer in 2004, had surgery to remove tumor and BCG treatment ! Now I had a lot of blood in my urine and achy cramps , do you think the cancer has returned ? I am 80.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Carer Gary Bauer Podcast

The life of a product tester for absorbent garments

Most of us never give a second thought to all the research, technology and testing that go into the products we use every day – even ordinary-seeming ones like protective garments for incontinence.

But behind every successful product there’s an enormous amount of ingenuity and persistence, and nobody knows that better than Gary Bauer. He’s a patient himself living with overactive bladder, but he’s also a product tester for Carer.

Gary provides them important feedback and insight on a number of their reusable garments, particularly their waterproof underpants. Listen today to learn more about what he’s learned, what he looks for and what he expects the future may hold when it comes to personal protection.

For more information about Carer and the full line of products they have available, visit them online today at CARERSPK.com.

Dr Gill Men and OAB

Overactive Bladder in Men

Despite being incredibly common, Overactive Bladder is something that isn’t talked about nearly enough, and that’s especially true when it comes to men. Today’s guest is Dr. Bradley Gill, chief of surgery at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest and Mentor Hospitals and a board-certified urologist, and he’s here to help us understand about the unique ways it impacts men’s lives and what can be done about it.

UTIS Menopause Podcast

UTIs, Incontinence and Menopause – More of a Connection than You Might Realize

Do you have pain or burning when you pee? If so, you might have a urinary tract infection. They’re remarkably common. About 50% of women will develop one in their lifetime, and they get even more common as women get older and go through menopause. If you’re one of the 50% unlucky enough to come down with a UTI, this podcast is for you…

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Carer Gary Bauer Podcast

The life of a product tester for absorbent garments

Most of us never give a second thought to all the research, technology and testing that go into the products we use every day – even ordinary-seeming ones like protective garments for incontinence.

But behind every successful product there’s an enormous amount of ingenuity and persistence, and nobody knows that better than Gary Bauer. He’s a patient himself living with overactive bladder, but he’s also a product tester for Carer.

Gary provides them important feedback and insight on a number of their reusable garments, particularly their waterproof underpants. Listen today to learn more about what he’s learned, what he looks for and what he expects the future may hold when it comes to personal protection.

For more information about Carer and the full line of products they have available, visit them online today at CARERSPK.com.