The Effect of Smoking on Bladder

According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is one of the main causes of bladder cancer. The accumulation of carcinogenic chemicals in urine damages cells in the bladder. The cure rates for bladder cancer are high as long as it is detected early.

Age

• The risk of a smoker developing bladder cancer increases with age. Men are more likely to develop this form of cancer than women.

Chemicals

• Carcinogenic chemicals found in cigarettes accumulate in the bloodstream and body. Concentrations of these chemicals are eventually filtered through urine and damage cells in the bladder. The damaged cells in the bladder can increase the risk of cancer development.

Smoking Habits

• Individuals who have smoked for many years are at a much higher risk of developing bladder cancer. Inhalation patterns also affect the accumulation of carcinogenic chemicals in the bloodstream and body. Decreased nicotine levels in cigarettes cause smokers to inhale more frequently and deeply.

Tobacco Type

• A correlation between the type of tobacco smoked, black vs. blond, and risk of bladder cancer has not been definitively established.

Composition

• Increased cases of bladder cancer among smokers over the years suggest that changes in cigarette composition may be a contributing factor.

Cure Rates

• Rates of curing bladder cancer remain high as long as the condition is discovered early. Rates considerably decrease the longer the disease remains undetected.