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Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Bladder Cancer Research Projects May Uncover Helpful Information

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By Bonnie Contreras


Urine is typically held in a hollow organ called the bladder until it can be eliminated. This organ is found in the lower region of the abdominal cavity. When it becomes full to capacity, most individuals experience an uncomfortable sensation. If urine is held past this point, it can cause infections. Ongoing bladder cancer research is being completed to discover a cure, as well as more efficient treatments for this devastating disease.

In much of the Western world as well as the United States, this kind of cancer is sixth most common among all types. However, if malignant growths in this organ are discovered early, the lives of many patients can be saved. Unfortunately, the disease is often spread to surrounding organs before it is discovered.

Research has concluded that smoking places individuals at a high risk for this type of malignancy. This is because sulfur, one of the many harmful substances found in cigarettes, irritates the lining of the organ, leading to inappropriate division of cells in some cases. Fortunately, when an individual ceases using tobacco products, his or her risk for the condition begins to decrease almost immediately.

Symptoms of a urinary tumor include low back pain, frequency, pain upon urinating, and blood in the urine. It is essential to realize, however, that such symptoms are not always indicative of cancer. There is a broad range of other disorders associated with the same symptoms. The latter include infections, and conditions such as the presence of a cyst. Medical evaluation should be sought by anyone experiencing symptoms of this kind.

One may have a higher than average risk for the disease if he or she has a family history of cancer. However, this will still depend on whether the individual carries the gene for the condition. Studies are currently being completed to determine whether a diagnostic test can be designed to uncover this gene. If a person has the latter, proper screening on a continuous basis can be completed for the purpose of catching any malignancies while they are still in stage I.

For unknown reasons, the aforementioned disease affects more men than women. In addition, Asians and Africans are not at as high a risk for this disease as are Caucasians. The reason for this phenomenon is also yet unknown, although studies are underway to determine why individuals of certain races are at a higher risk than others.

As with most malignancies, bladder tumor risk increases with age. However, this is true about most cancers, and therefore it is difficult for scientists to determine exactly why the elderly are at an elevated risk for the disease. Some health care professionals are of the opinion that specific chemicals found in beverages and food can raise a person's risk for such tumors, if high amounts of such products are consumed.

Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are typically used to treat individuals with the aforementioned cancer. Additional bladder cancer research is now being completed for the purpose of finding a cure and more effective treatments for this catastrophic illness. Although uncommon, this type of cancer can be fatal. This is why anyone who notices the aforementioned symptoms should speak to his or her doctor without delay.




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