Risk Factors

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health-care choices.

The following factors may raise a person’s risk of developing bladder cancer:

Smoking. The most common risk factor is cigarette smoking. Smokers are four to seven times more likely to develop bladder cancer than nonsmokers.

Age. The likelihood of being diagnosed with bladder cancer increases with age.

Gender. Men are three to four times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women, but women are more likely to die from bladder cancer than men. Before smoking rates for women increased to approach smoking rates for men, men were five to six times more likely to develop bladder cancer.

Race. White people are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer as black people, but black people are twice as likely to die from the disease.

Chemicals. Chemicals used in textile, rubber, leather, dye, paint or print industries, some naturally occurring chemicals, and chemicals called aromatic amines can increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Chronic bladder problems. Bladder stones and infections may increase the risk of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer may be more common for people who are paralyzed from the waist down who have had repeated urinary infections.

Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Clafen, Neosar) use. People who have taken the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer.

Personal history. People who have already had bladder cancer are more likely to develop bladder cancer again.

Fluid intake. People who do not drink enough liquids on a regular basis may have a higher risk of bladder cancer.

Schistosomiasis. People who have some forms of this parasitic disease (found particularly in parts of Africa and the Mediterranean region) are more likely to develop bladder cancer.