Advice to prevent bladder cancer
Men are four times more likely to smoke than women. In the early stages of the disease, consult a doctor immediately for any problem with bleeding or lower abdomen with urination.
July is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. Men and women can get bladder cancer. However, men are four times more likely than women to be addicted to smoking. Bladder cancer can also be caused by infection with a type of parasite called pigment used in clothes, asbestos, some cancer drugs, and bilharziasis.
There are two kidneys on either side of the abdomen. Here urine is made by purifying the blood and the contaminants in the blood mix with the urine and accumulate in the urethra through the urethra. This urinary tract infection is a very known problem. But many do not know that bladder cancer can also occur. Any germs or viruses can easily enter the bladder through the urinary tract.
If there is blood in the urine (bleeding may be painless, there may be pain again) be careful. However, when blood clots come out, it is almost certain that there is a tumor. Symptoms may include lower abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, and inability to urinate. Some blood tests, urine tests, ultrasonography, cystoscope biopsy, MRI, etc. may be needed to be sure. If it is caught at the very beginning of the disease, it is possible to cure it by removing the tumor completely through cystoscopy.
However, if cancer has spread deeply, first chemotherapy and then radiotherapy should be given. Even then, if the cancer is not controlled, the bladder can be surgically removed and a separate bag can be inserted to collect the urine or an artificial bladder can be made. However, it is difficult for any patient. Therefore, in the early stages of the disease, consult a doctor immediately for any problem with bleeding or lower abdomen with urination.
Professor Dr. Sheikh Golam Mostafa, Director (Retd.), National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital, and Professor, Enam Medical College, Dhaka