Which carcinogen causes bladder cancer

These carcinogens are then filtered by the kidneys and deposited into the urine. As urine is held in the bladder, the carcinogens in the fluid may damage the cells on the bladder wall, increasing the risk of cancer. Workplace exposure: Some chemicals used in the dye industry, such as benzidine and beta-naphthylamine, have been associated with bladder cancer. Other industries where chemicals are used that may cause bladder cancer include rubber, leather, textiles, paint manufacturing and printing.

People with jobs that may raise the risk of bladder cancer include painters, machinists, printers, hairdressers due to hair dye exposure and truck drivers due to diesel fume exposure. Arsenic: Drinking water that contains arsenic has been linked to bladder cancer. Exposure depends on where a person lives and the water source. In the United States, safety measures have been put in place to limit the level of arsenic in public drinking water.

Low fluid consumption: Drinking plenty of fluids daily helps lower your bladder cancer risks. Likewise, not drinking enough may increase this risk because chemicals are left in the bladder longer.

Chronic bladder infections and irritation: Problems associated with increased bladder cancer risks include urinary infections, kidney and bladder stones, and other causes of bladder irritation.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, may reach the bladder and is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell bladder cancer. In the United States, schistosomiasis is very rare. In Africa and the Middle East, where this parasite is more common, squamous cell bladder cancer is more common.

Personal history of bladder cancer: Cancer can occur in other regions of the urothelium, such as in the lining of the kidneys, ureter and urethra. Cancer in any of these areas may increase the risk of another tumor in this layer of cells.

People who have bladder cancer need to be closely monitored following treatment because additional tumors in the urothelium are so common. Surgery soon after birth can close the bladder and abdominal wall and repair other related defects , but people who have this still have a higher risk for urinary infections and bladder cancer.

People who have family members with bladder cancer have a higher risk of getting it themselves. Sometimes this may be because the family members are exposed to the same cancer-causing chemicals like those in tobacco smoke.

They may also share changes in some genes like GST and NAT that make it hard for their bodies to break down certain toxins, which can make them more likely to get bladder cancer. A small number of people inherit a gene syndrome that increases their risk for bladder cancer. For example:. For information on testing for inherited gene changes that increase cancer risk, see Understanding Genetic Testing for Cancer. People taking this drug are often told to drink plenty of fluids to help protect the bladder from irritation.

Many risk factors make a person more likely to develop bladder cancer. Risk factors you can change Smoking Smoking is the most important risk factor for bladder cancer. Workplace exposures Certain industrial chemicals have been linked with bladder cancer.

Arsenic in drinking water Arsenic in drinking water has been linked with a higher risk of bladder cancer in some parts of the world. Not drinking enough fluids People who drink a lot of fluids, especially water, each day tend to have lower rates of bladder cancer. Risk factors you cannot change Race and ethnicity Whites are about twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as African Americans and Hispanics.

Age The risk of bladder cancer increases with age. Gender Bladder cancer is much more common in men than in women. Chronic bladder irritation and infections Urinary infections, kidney and bladder stones, bladder catheters left in place a long time, and other causes of chronic ongoing bladder irritation have been linked to bladder cancer especially squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Download this topic [PDF]. Can Bladder Cancer Be Prevented? What Causes Bladder Cancer? Some genes control when cells grow, divide into new cells, and die: Genes that help cells grow, divide, and stay alive are called oncogenes. Genes that normally help control cell division, repair mistakes in DNA, or cause cells to die at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes. Inherited gene mutations Some people inherit gene changes from their parents that increase their risk of bladder cancer.

Written by References. The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

See all references for Bladder Cancer. Last Revised: January 30, Pioglitazone Actos use. In , the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA warned that people who have taken the diabetes drug pioglitazone for more than 1 year may have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer.

However, published studies have shown contradictory results. Personal history. People who have already had bladder cancer once are more likely to develop bladder cancer again. People who have some forms of this parasitic disease are more likely to develop squamous cell bladder cancer. Lynch syndrome and other genetic syndromes. People with an inherited condition called Lynch syndrome , previously called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC, or other genetic predisposition may have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer upper and lower tract.

It is important to review your family history of cancer with your doctor. Arsenic exposure. Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that can cause health problems if consumed in large amounts. When found in drinking water, it has been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.