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Genitourinary Cancer
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Patient education for bladder cancer

What are some of the risk factors associated with bladder cancer?

Risk factors are traits and behaviours that increase the chances of getting a particular disease. There are several established risk factors that can increase the chances for developing bladder cancer:

  • Smoking: This is the strongest and consistent risk factor for developing bladder cancer. Smokers are four times more likely of getting bladder cancer than non-smokers.
  • Certain occupations: Exposures to certain organic chemicals called aromatic amines increase the chances of developing bladder cancer. Occupations that use these chemicals include those in the textile, dye, rubber, leather, printing and paint industries.
  • Chronic bladder problems: Long-term infections and need for catheters can predispose patients for developing bladder cancer.
  • Radiation exposure: Patients with a history of radiation delivery to the bladder area are also predisposed to developing bladder cancer.
  • Cyclophosphamide: This is a chemotherapy drug used to treat lymphoma, but also increases the risk for developing bleeding problems of the bladder and bladder cancer.

How is bladder cancer diagnosed?

View our diagnosis and treatment section.