Bladder cancer starts due to an infection of tissues in the bladder’s wall which then leads to the formation of blood clots. It occurs when the bladder cells start to grow abnormally, causing tumors. This tumor spreads near the lymph nodes and to the different organs. When the condition worsens, it may spread to the bones and lungs, leading to severe complications. Bladder cancer is common among men above the age of 60; however, it may occur in women, too.

Causes of bladder cancer include:

1. Consumption of tobacco and nicotine
Smoking for an extensive period causes chemicals and your blood to combine. The kidneys then filter the water in the form of urine. When urine accumulates in the bladder, it repeatedly meets these chemicals; this causes changes in the bladder and increases the risk of cancer. This calls for urgent bladder cancer treatment. People who smoke four times a day are more likely to develop cancer than people who do not smoke at all.

2. Exposure to toxic chemicals and gases
If you work in a chemical-based factory, you are extensively exposed to dangerous chemicals. This is the second cause of bladder cancer. These people are commonly at risk:

• People working in the plastic, rubber, and textile industry are prone to bladder cancer. Additionally, people who deal with dyes and tanning salons are more prone to bladder cancer.
• People working in the automotive industry have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer than people who don’t, as they are continually exposed to dangerous chemicals and smoke.

3. Exposure to radiation and medicines
If you have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy or have had medicines for any fatal disease, the risks of developing bladder cancer get higher. Moreover, if you have undergone radiation therapy for an organ near the bladder, you have an increased risk of bladder cancer.

4. Major diseases that lead to the possibility of bladder cancer
Diseases like diabetes and stones may lead to the growth of cancer.

• People treated for type-2 diabetes are more prone to bladder cancer than others.
• In men, If the prostate gland has increased or if it is treated before it grows, then the chances of getting bladder cancer increases.
• The probability of getting bladder cancer is more in women who have premature menopause than other women.
• The presence of stones in the urinary tract for a long time can also push you towards bladder cancer. So, you should regularly check for urinary tract stones.
• People who have frequent infections in the urinary tract are also more prone to bladder cancer.

The priority of any bladder cancer treatment is to avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals. If your work involves chemical use, make sure that you fully protect yourself. Drink plenty of fluids, as fluids dilute the elements inside the body that cause cancer and remove them through urine before they can cause harm.