Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Bladder Cancer Research Is Underway To Find Beneficial Treatments

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.

The symptoms associated with this disease include frequent urination, low back pain, blood in the urine, or painful urination. However, it is essential to understand that such symptoms do not always indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor. There are many other disorders associated with the same symptoms. These include conditions such as infections, or the presence of cysts. For this reason, those experiencing such symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional.

A family history of the disease may also place an individual at a higher than average risk. This depends on whether or not the person carries a specific gene. Research is underway to create a test that will be able to determine whether or not this is the case. If one discovers that he or she has this gene, appropriate testing on a regular basis can be done in order to catch any malignancies while they are still in their early stages.

For unknown reasons, cancerous tumors of this kind affect less women then men. In addition, Africans and Asians are not at as high of a risk for developing such malignancies as are Caucasians. This is also a fact that cannot be traced to any specific cause. Studies are currently being conducted to uncover why people of certain ethnic backgrounds are at a higher risk than other individuals.

As with all malignant growths, the risk of bladder tumors increases with age. However, this is the case with most cancers, and therefore it is challenging to discover exactly why elderly people are at an increased risk for bladder cancer. Some health scientists believe that specific chemicals placed in beverages and food can also increase a person's risk for such malignancies. This is particularly true if the individual consumes high amounts of specific types of processed foods and beverages.

Bladder cancer is typically treated with radiation and chemotherapy. In most cases, surgery is completed to remove malignant growths. To find a cure, or at least more effective treatments for this catastrophic illness, additional bladder cancer research must be completed. The disease can be fatal, even though it is an uncommon condition. This is why anyone experiencing the symptoms outlined above should seek the advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner.




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