As a doctor, I often encounter patients who are only discovered at an advanced stage of bladder cancer, which makes treatment extremely complicated and difficult. However, if detected early, both the success rate of treatment and the patient's quality of life can be significantly improved. Therefore, I believe that it is necessary to disseminate information about the early symptoms of bladder cancer so that people can detect it and seek medical help in time.
I remember one time a middle-aged male patient came to visit me with recurrent painless hematuria. He thought it was a common urinary tract infection, but it didn't improve with some antibiotics. After taking a detailed medical history, we decided to go for a more in-depth examination. Urine cytology, ultrasound, and finally cystoscopy confirm the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Fortunately, the cancer was still in its early stages, and we immediately started the appropriate treatment. This patient's story highlights the importance of early detection and the fact that we should not take those seemingly ordinary but persistent symptoms lightly.
Early symptoms of bladder cancer
Overview of bladder cancer
Bladder cancer occurs in the cells lining the bladder, which begin to grow uncontrollably. Statistics show that bladder cancer is more common in men than women, especially in older age groups. Smoking and exposure to certain industrial chemicals are known risk factors.
Early symptoms
hematuria
One of the most common early symptoms is hematuria, which is usually not accompanied by pain. Hematuria may appear as darkened urine or have visible streaks of blood. Sometimes, hematuria may not be visible to the naked eye and can only be detected by a urine test.
Urinary frequency, urgency, painful urination
These symptoms can be misinterpreted as manifestations of a urinary tract infection. Frequent urination refers to the need to go to the toilet frequently, even if the amount of urine is not high. Urgency is a sudden, intense urge to urinate, while dysuria refers to discomfort or pain during urination.
pain
Pain or discomfort in the bladder area, lower abdomen or perineum, which may not occur until the condition has progressed to a certain stage.
Diagnostic methods
If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention and possibly have the following tests:
Urine test: Look for cancer cells in your urine.
Ultrasonography and CT scan: to help observe structural changes in the bladder.
Cystoscopy: A cystoscope is used to look directly inside the bladder to look for abnormal areas.
Prevention and early intervention
Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to chemicals known to cause cancer, can reduce the risk of bladder cancer. In addition, for people with risk factors, regular bladder health checkups are crucial.
Case Study
For example, a 50-year-old patient comes to visit with persistent hematuria. Initial examination found no obvious cause, but further cystoscopy revealed small tumors in the bladder wall. Early detection and treatment allowed the patient to avoid further health deterioration.
Summary & Appeal
Early detection and treatment of bladder cancer can be the key to saving lives. Therefore, whether symptomatic or none, regular health check-ups should not be neglected. When noticing any unusual physical changes, it is crucial to seek professional medical advice in a timely manner.
Diagnostic methods
Urine tests
A urine test is the first step in diagnosing bladder cancer. By collecting a sample of the patient's urine, the doctor can test for the presence of cancer cells. This test is simple and non-invasive, and is an important tool for initial screening.
Ultrasound
Ultrasonography is a technique that uses acoustic imaging to help doctors see the structure of the bladder and whether there are abnormal growths, such as tumors. This test is painless and radiation-free, and is appropriate for most patients.
CT scan
A CT scan provides more detailed images than ultrasound, allowing for a clear view of the structure of the bladder and surrounding tissues. With a CT scan, doctors can see the size and location of the tumor, and whether there are signs of invasion of other tissues.
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is the "gold standard" for diagnosing bladder cancer. In this test, doctors insert a long, thin mirror (cystoscope) through the urethra and into the bladder. Through the lens, the doctor can directly observe the inside of the bladder to check for abnormal growths, and can perform a biopsy, that is, a sample is taken directly from the suspected cancerous area for pathological analysis.
Prevention and early intervention
Lifestyle adjustments
Quit smoking:
Smoking is a major risk factor for bladder cancer. The harmful chemicals in tobacco can irritate the bladder wall when they are excreted through the urine, and long-term exposure can lead to cancer. Quitting smoking is an effective way to reduce the risk of bladder cancer.
Water intake:
Increasing daily water intake can dilute the concentration of carcinogens in the urine and promote their excretion, reducing the amount of time these substances are in contact with the bladder wall. It is recommended to drink enough water every day, at least eight glasses of water.
Healthy Eating:
Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, these whole foods are rich in antioxidants that help defend against cancer-related free radical damage. Avoid excessive intake of processed meats and high-fat foods, which may increase the risk of bladder cancer.
Regular medical check-ups
urine test:
Get regular urine tests, especially for people with risk factors for bladder cancer, such as long-term smokers or those with a family history of the disease. Abnormal cells that may be present in the urine can indicate the presence of bladder cancer at an early stage.
Medical Consultation:
Consult your doctor regularly, especially if you have persistent urinary tract symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, hematuria, etc. Discussing these symptoms in a timely manner can help detect the problem early.
With these preventive measures and regular health check-ups, we can significantly reduce the risk of bladder cancer or intervene before the condition is severe. Not only does this maintain a good quality of life, but it can also be a critical step in saving lives.