How to Detect Bladder Cancer by Early Symptoms

Bladder cancer usually goes undetected until the disease has progressed considerably. It is therefore important to be alert and aware so that you can identify the symptoms early and treat the disease in time in order to avoid further complications. Early-stage symptoms are usually very mild. Pain in the bladder, blood in urine, etc. are the initial tell-tale signs.

The abnormal multiplication of cells in the bladder is known as bladder cancer. Due to the multiplication of cells, abnormal cell growth takes place. This abnormal growth is known as a tumor. As the number of abnormal cells keeps increasing, the tumor also increases in size. The surrounding cells are also affected as the tumor occupies their allotted space as well as their nutrients and oxygen.

If you are aware of the various symptoms associated with bladder cancer, you will be able to detect it in the early stages and improve the chances of a successful recovery.

Identifying the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer.

The following are the common symptoms to look out for in order to identify the onset of bladder cancer:

• Blood in Urine: This is one of the most common symptoms of bladder cancer, and is known as hematuria. According to researchers, 95% of bladder cancer patients first consult the doctor upon spotting blood in the urine. 9 out of 10 patients suffer from this condition, but it is not painful. The blood is not usually visible either as it is present only in trace amounts. It causes a change in urine color from yellow to a darker shade of brown. Blood in the urine is not spotted regularly, but is sporadic and sometimes also accompanied by pain while urinating. Patients may feel the urge to urinate frequently. This is one of the early signs of bladder cancer, so it is important to immediately consult with the doctor.

• Urge to Urinate: The patient may feel a frequent urge to urinate, but may not be able to produce any urine. Generally, when It happens, we started thinking that this might be an indication of urinary incontinence and we started taking measures accordingly. Such as doing pelvic floor exercises, trusting pads for bladder leakage to deal with the situation but the frequent urge to urination does not necessarily mean due to OAB. This can be an early sign of bladder cancer too.

• Lower Back Pain: Another common symptom associated with bladder cancer is, pain in the lower back, although it is typically not present in the early stages of bladder cancer, still if it’s happening on regular basis, we need to be more alert and cautious towards our bladder health.  

• Weight Loss: Severe to mild weight loss can be also another symptom of cancer.

• Swelling: The patient may experience severe to mild swelling in the lower legs.

• Pain in the Pelvic Region: The patient may experience pain in the pelvic region, and even in the anal and rectal areas. Whenever we are facing any discomfort in any such area it's always advisable to consult your health care provider to diagnose the actual reason behind such a health condition. 

The first step for diagnosis is a complete medical examination. A doctor will evaluate your medical history, symptoms, test results, and genetic history in order to detect whether you have bladder cancer. Some of the common evaluation tests include urine analysis, MRI and CT scans and if need be, biopsy. Only upon careful evaluation will the doctor be able to identify whether a person has bladder cancer, or if it is another medical condition that is causing the symptoms.

Why Is Early Detection Important?

Cancer when detected early can be treated successfully. When detected at a later stage, it becomes difficult to treat it completely. For proper treatment and full recovery, early detection is extremely important. If bladder cancer is not detected during its early stages, it may lead to the tumor spreading to other organs near the bladder; this is known as metastasizing of the tumor.

It is important to have regular check-ups, especially if you have predisposed genetic risk factors or are prone to other risk factors such as smoking, chronic bladder infection, etc. You may want to undergo regular urine analysis and annual examinations in order to check for bladder cancer threats. If you suffer from the above-mentioned symptoms, it is important to get checked and tested for bladder cancer. Early detection and quick action are necessary because bladder cancer is otherwise difficult to detect.