Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

The most common symptoms of bladder cancer are as follows:

* Blood in the urine (hematuria)

* Pain or burning during urination without evidence of urinary tract infection

* Change of bladder habits, such as the need to urinate more often or feel a strong need to urinate without producing much urine

These symptoms are nonspecific. This means that these symptoms are also associated with many other conditions that have nothing to do with cancer.

* Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer of the bladder.

* If you have any of these symptoms, consult your healthcare provider immediately. People who can see the blood in the urine, especially older men who smoke, are considered to have a high probability of bladder cancer until proven otherwise.

Blood in the urine is usually the first warning sign of bladder cancer.

* Unfortunately, blood is often invisible to the eye. This is known as microscopic hematuria and can be detected with a simple urine test.

* In some cases, enough blood in the urine is a significant change in urine color. Urine may be slightly pink or orange hue, or it can be bright red, with or without lumps.

* If the urine color changes, you should consult a doctor.

Bladder cancer often causes no symptoms until it reaches the extent that it is difficult to improve. This is why you should ask your health care provider about screening tests, if you have risk factors for bladder cancer. Screening is the testing of cancer for people who have never had the disease and causes no symptoms, but with one or more risk factors.