What Is Bladder Cancer

You get bladder cancer when cells in your bladder become abnormal and grow out of control. Over time, a tumor forms. It can spread beyond your bladder to lymph nodes and other organs. Bladder cancer is rare. It accounts for 5% of all new cancers in the U.S.

Bladder cancer is most common in white men over age 55. If someone in your family has had bladder cancer, you're more likely to get it. Smoking, working around harmful chemicals, and taking certain diabetes medications also can raise your risk.

If you have bladder infections that keep coming back or another condition that causes your bladder to be irritated for long periods of time, you have a greater risk of getting bladder cancer.

Drink lots of fluids. When you pee, you get rid of harmful chemicals that build up in your bladder. Drinking fluids, especially water, may lower your cancer risk.

Studies show that eating lots of fruits and green, leafy vegetables lowers your risk of many types of cancer. It may help cut your risk for bladder cancer, too.

If you smoke, stop. Every time you inhale tobacco fumes, you're taking in all kinds of harmful chemicals. Doctors believe smoking causes half of all bladder cancers.

The five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is about 77%. That means 7 out of 10 people who are diagnosed with the disease will still be alive five years later. Your outcome is based on your age, overall health, how early the cancer was found, and how well it responds to treatment.