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Bladder cancer has been linked to exposure to various types of toxic substances such as cigarette smoke and industrial chemicals but genetic factors also play a significant role.

The deCODEme Genetic Scan analyzes your DNA and provides you with a personalized interpretation of your genetic risk for Bladder Cancer.

Prevention starts with recognizing risk – deCODEme calculates your genetic risk for Urinary Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is more common in men than in women

It is estimated that nearly 70,000 individuals will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in the United States during 2008 and that approximately 20% of them will die of the disease. Bladder cancer is more common in men than in women and more common among white individuals of European descent than African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. In the United States, approximately 1 in 24 men will be diagnosed with bladder cancer during his lifetime whereas only 1 in 77 women will develop the disease. If discovered and treated early, bladder cancer has a high rate of cure.

Genetics contribute to the risk of bladder cancer

Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the risk of developing bladder cancer. Bladder cancer has been linked to exposure to various types of toxic substances such as cigarette smoke and industrial chemicals but genetic factors also play a significant role. Scientists at deCODE genetics and others have discovered four genetic variants that increase the risk of developing bladder cancer; one on chromosomes 3 and 5 and two on chromosome 8.

deCODEme calculates your genetic risk for Urinary Bladder Cancer

The deCODEme Genetic Scan identifies these genetic variants and uses them to provide customers of European descent with a personalized interpretation of their genetic risk for developing Bladder Cancer.

At present, the necessary scientific information to interpret the genetic risk for individuals of other ethnicities is not available. This information will be added as soon as it becomes available and we are assured of its quality.

Smoking is the strongest risk factor for bladder cancer

As the exact cause of bladder cancer is still unknown, several risk factors have been established:

• Smoking is the strongest risk factor for bladder cancer. Smokers develop bladder cancer twice as often as non-smokers.
• Chemical exposure. Painters, hairdressers, machinists, printers, and truck drivers are among those whose exposure to various chemicals increases their risk for bladder cancer. Others include individuals who work with aromatic amines, a group of chemicals that are used in the production of rubber, printing materials, textiles, and paint products as well as in the treatment of leather. Arsenic in drinking water has also been linked to an increased risk of the disease.
• Ethnicity. White individuals of European origin are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as are African Americans and Hispanics. Asians have the lowest rate of bladder cancer.
• Age. The risk of bladder cancer increases with age.
• Gender. The incidence of bladder cancer in men is more than three times greater than in women.
• Family history. Those with a first-degree relative who has developed bladder cancer are at greater risk.
• Other risk factors include having a history of chronic bladder infection, bladder birth defects and not drinking enough liquids.
• Reoccurrence. Bladder cancer can reoccur. Those who have had it once are at a greater risk of developing it a second time.

Not smoking is an important prevention strategy

The most important preventive measures are to refrain from smoking and to take recommended caution with chemicals. Drinking plenty of liquids, especially water, dilutes toxic substances that may be found in a concentrated form in urine and flushes them out of the bladder more quickly. Since arsenic is known to affect bladder cancer, household wells and other private water supplies should be tested for high arsenic levels. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of bladder cancer.

If discovered and treated early, bladder cancer has a high cure-rate

Treatment of bladder cancer depends on a number of factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, overall health and treatment preferences. Most people undergo surgery to remove the cancer and surrounding tissue. If the tumor has invaded nearby tissue, the whole bladder may be removed and reconstructive surgery performed so that urine can be expelled. If further treatment is required, it may include chemotherapy, radiation and/or immunotherapy (aimed at stimulating the immune system to fight the remaining cancer cells).

More information

You can find more information about bladder cancer by talking with your physician and visiting these Web sites:

• The American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute
• MayoClinic.com on bladder cancer
• MedlinePlus Article on bladder cancer

This content was last reviewed on February 08, 2010.

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