In the United States, approximately 75,000 people a year are diagnosed with bladder cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When diagnosed and treated early, bladder cancer has a high success rate. Early detection is key to survival.
Bladder Cancer Symptoms
There are several symptoms of bladder cancer. If you have one or more of them, you should consider consulting a doctor. Here are some of the more common warning signs.
- Bloody urine
- Frequent urination
- Lower back pain
Usually painless, blood in the urine could be a warning sign of bladder cancer. Known as hematuria, this can include streaks of blood in the urine or urine that is noticeably dark. Pain or a burning sensation while urinating could also occur.
More frequent urination could be an indication of bladder cancer. Other symptoms are feeling the urgency to urinate but being unable to pass urine normally, and the feeling of needing to urinate several times during the night.
Lower back pain, especially if only on one side, is a symptom of bladder cancer. This can also be coupled with pain in the pelvic region.
Other indicators of bladder cancer include unexplained weight loss, bone pain, swelling in the feet, and extreme fatigue.
When to Consult Your Doctor
If you are experiencing lower back pain on one side, dark urine, and an increase in the need to urinate, it’s best to consult your doctor. Although these symptoms aren’t a sure sign of bladder cancer, they are the most common. Only a doctor can diagnose bladder cancer.
