Symptoms of bladder cancer
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine (hematuria). This causes the urine to appear rusty or deep red in color. However, hematuria cannot always be detected by the naked eye. Blood in the urine can also be a symptom of other conditions such as kidney stones and /or urinary tract infection.
Other symptoms of bladder cancer can also occur with blood in the urine. However, these symptoms are not exclusive signs of bladder cancer. Infections, benign tumors, bladder stones, or other problems can also cause these symptoms. A full list of symptoms and accompanying conditions follows.
When to seek help
If a person has no known risk factors for bladder cancer, prompt attention to bladder symptoms is the best advice for detecting bladder cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Anyone who manifests any of the above symptoms should seek medical attention so that a doctor can diagnose and treat any problem as early as possible. Especially notify your doctor immediately if you experience hematuria (blood in the urine). Furthermore, people who think they may be at risk for bladder cancer should discuss this concern with their doctor. The doctor may suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.
It's important to diagnose and treat symptoms of bladder cancer when you first notice them. This will help prevent the symptoms from worsening and causing complications. Continue reading the following section on diagnosis to learn how bladder cancer is diagnosed.