What are the risk factors for bladder cancer?
In medicine, a risk factor is something that raises the chances of developing a disease or condition. For example, people who smoke are more likely to develop heart disease. Therefore, smoking is a risk factor for heart disease. The risk factors linked to bladder cancer are: • Age – bladder cancer is extremely rare for people aged under 40 years, and is much more common among patients aged 65 or over. • Bladder defect – people who were born with a bladder defect are more susceptible to developing adenocarcinoma of the bladder. • Cancer therapies – women who received radiation therapy (radiotherapy) for cervical cancer have been found to have a higher risk of subsequently developing bladder cancer. Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and ifosfamide (Ifex), chemotherapy drugs used for treating cancer, may also pose an elevated risk. However, it appears that men who receive radiotherapy for prostate cancer do not have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer later on. • Chronic inflammation of t
