Bladder cancer

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in your urine. Other signs to look out for include:

• needing to urinate more often

• pain or burning when you urinate (dysuria)

• feeling the need to urinate when your bladder isn’t full

• urinating often during the night

• bladder infections that keep coming back

If the cancer has spread beyond your bladder to other parts of the body, it can also cause:

• trouble urinating

• lower back pain

• tummy pain

• bone pain or tenderness

• unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite

• swelling in the feet

• tiredness

As with many other types of cancer, smoking tobacco is the largest cause of preventable bladder cancer in the UK.

Other factors that can increase your risk include:

• age – bladder cancer is more common in people over 60

• sex – it’s more common in men than in women

• having a family history of bladder cancer

• being exposed to chemicals used in dyes, rubber, leather, paint, some textiles, and hairdressing supplies

• having cancer treatment like radiotherapy to the pelvis and certain chemotherapy drugs

• having repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and untreated bladder stones

• having bladder schistosomiasis – an infection caused by a parasite found in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean

• long-term catheter use

Bladder cancer can be diagnosed with a series of tests, such as:

• urine tests – to check your urine for traces of blood, cancer cells, and rule out infections

• blood tests – to check your kidney and liver function, and to measure the number of blood cells in your blood

• cystoscopy – when a thin tube with a camera and light on the end is passed through your urethra and into your bladder, to check for signs of cancer. Sometimes, small biopsies may be taken from abnormal areas to check the cells for changes

• imaging scans – like ultrasound, CT, MRI and PET-CT scans, to get a more detailed picture of your bladder

If you have a bladder cancer diagnosis, your specialist may also recommend a transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT). 

This is a procedure to remove tumours from the bladder for further tests. It can also be a part of your treatment to remove the tumours before they invade your bladder’s muscle wall. 

It’s not always possible to prevent bladder cancer, but you may be able to lower your risk by:

• not smoking cigarettes – smoking and secondhand smoke more than doubles the risk of developing bladder cancer

• not exposing yourself to certain chemicals – such as aromatic amines (chemicals used in dyes), rubber, leather, some textiles, paint and hairdressing supplies

• getting proper treatment for bladder infections – especially if they keep coming back

If left untreated, bladder cancer can lead to multiple complications, including: 

• trouble urinating

• bone pain

• sexual dysfunction

• the cancer spreading to other nearby organs like the liver, lungs, and bones. This can cause further issues, such as hydronephrosis (swelling of the ureters), urinary incontinence, and spinal cord compression

The most effective treatment for bladder cancer depends on the type you have, the stage of the cancer, and your general health. 

It usually includes one or more of the following:

• surgery

• radiotherapy

• chemotherapy

• targeted drug therapy

• immunotherapy

Before you start treatment, your specialist will talk you through everything and explain any side effects.

At Welbeck, our urologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.