Women's Bladder Cancer: Symptoms and Further Information
Bladder cancer is a concern that often goes unnoticed in women, especially due to misconceptions and the similarity of symptoms to common urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Despite being less common in females, an estimated 4,550 women in the United States are expected to lose their lives to bladder cancer in 2023. This grim statistic underscores the importance of understanding the disease and its symptoms.
One of the main reasons for the delayed diagnosis of bladder cancer in women is the misconception that it primarily affects men. This belief, while widespread, is incorrect. As a result, healthcare providers may overlook bladder cancer as a diagnosis in women presenting with urinary symptoms.
Early symptoms of bladder cancer, such as blood in the urine, burning during urination, and frequent urination, often resemble those of common UTIs. Consequently, women are frequently treated for UTIs multiple times before bladder cancer is considered.
Furthermore, women may experience delayed diagnosis due to misdiagnosis and low awareness. Doctors may initially attribute symptoms to benign conditions, while women themselves might ignore or dismiss symptoms, assuming they are minor or related to infections rather than cancer.
Socio-cultural and educational factors also play a role. In some regions, especially rural areas, lack of awareness and cultural tendencies to put women’s health needs last lead to delayed presentation and diagnosis. Women may delay consulting a doctor, and symptoms go unnoticed or untreated for a long time.
These factors collectively result in women often being diagnosed at more advanced stages of bladder cancer, when treatment is more complex and prognosis worse. Early recognition of symptoms such as unexplained blood in urine and timely referral for cystoscopy or imaging is critical to improve outcomes.
Smoking is a leading risk factor for bladder cancer in females. Other risk factors include advanced age, workplace exposure to certain chemicals, history of bladder cancer, genetics or living with certain genetic conditions, chronic bladder infections or irritation, birth defects that affect the bladder, use of chemotherapy or radiation, and previous bladder surgery.
The first sign for most people with bladder cancer is blood in the urine. This symptom may be visible or only detected under a microscope by a healthcare professional. Other symptoms can include frequent urination, increased urgency, painful passing of urine, stomach pain, back pain, difficulty or inability to urinate, unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness or tiredness, bone pain, and swollen feet.
As the cancer advances, a person may feel pain on one side of their back. It's crucial to remember that early diagnosis and treatment can significantly increase survival rates. Therefore, it's essential to address any unusual urinary symptoms promptly and seek medical advice.
[1] American Cancer Society. (2022). Bladder cancer in women. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/about/bladder-cancer-in-women.html [2] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Bladder cancer. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20356904 [3] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Bladder cancer treatment (PDQ®)—health professional version. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/hp/bladder-treatment-pdq [4] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Bladder cancer. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-cancer [5] Urology Care Foundation. (2021). Bladder cancer. Retrieved from https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/bladder-cancer
- Bladder cancer, a disease that often goes unnoticed in women, is expected to result in the deaths of 4,550 women in the United States in 2023, highlighting the need for better understanding of this cancer and its symptoms.
- Despite being less common in women, bladder cancer shares similar symptoms with common urinary tract infections (UTIs), leading to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, which can result in advanced stages at the time of diagnosis.
- Addressing and understanding the various risk factors for bladder cancer in females, such as smoking, genetics, and chronic bladder infections, can help improve early detection and prognosis.
- It's essential for women to prioritize their health and seek medical advice promptly if they experience unusual urinary symptoms, such as blood in the urine, frequent urination, or pain during urination, as early diagnosis and treatment can significantly increase survival rates.
