Stress Incontinence vs. Bladder Cancer

Stress incontinence is when you have a problem with urine leakage during physical activities such as laughing or coughing. Bladder cancer starts in the cells lining the inside of the bladder and affects mostly older adults. Both conditions involve the bladder, but have different symptoms, causes and treatment.

Cancer Symptoms

• Symptoms of bladder cancer include abdominal pain, back pain, frequent and painful urination, urinary tract infection and blood in the urine.

Incontinence Symptoms

• Symptoms of stress incontinence include loss of urine from coughing, standing, sneezing, exercising or another physical activity and sex.

Causes

• Bladder cancer is the result of healthy cells that have mutated, grown out of control and formed a tumor. Stress incontinence is caused by weak pelvic muscles or a malfunctioning urethral sphincter.

Cancer Treatment

• Treatment of bladder cancer includes surgical removal of cancerous cells or the bladder. Other treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation and medicines to help your immune system fight cancer.

Incontinence Treatment

• Stress incontinence treatment includes avoiding excessive fluid intake, movements like jumping which can cause urine leakage, exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, medicines to improve urinary function and surgery to repair the problem causing stress incontinence.