Bladder cancer often comes without warning.

At IOCI, we’ve seen patients who felt perfectly fine—until a bit of blood showed up in their urine. Others came in for frequent UTIs that wouldn’t go away. What many had in common wasn’t symptoms, but risk factors they never realized could lead to bladder cancer.

This blog isn’t meant to scare you—it’s here to make you aware.
Because the earlier we understand our risks, the better we can protect ourselves.

 

Smoking: The Biggest Risk Factor

 

Yes, cigarettes damage your lungs. But most people don’t know they’re also the number one cause of bladder cancer.

Toxins from tobacco pass through your kidneys and concentrate in your bladder, directly damaging the bladder lining over time.

At IOCI, we ask every patient—not just about chest X-rays—but also about their smoking history when bladder symptoms appear.

 

Chronic UTIs or Long-Term Bladder Irritation

 

If you've had frequent urinary tract infections, chronic catheter use, or long-term bladder inflammation (like interstitial cystitis), your risk increases.

These conditions constantly irritate the bladder lining, which can cause changes at the cellular level over time.

“I thought it was just another UTI,” said a patient at IOCI Saharanpur, later diagnosed with early-stage cancer.
That one extra test changed everything.

 

Exposure to Certain Chemicals

 

People working in industries like:

• Textile and dye factories
• Leather processing
• Rubber and plastics
• Printing or paint industries

 

These are often exposed to aromatic amines, a known group of chemicals linked to bladder cancer.

Even if your exposure was years ago, the effects can linger. We often screen such patients at our Best Diagnostic Testing Centers as part of preventive care.

 

Age, Gender & Genetics

 

• Bladder cancer is more common in people over 55
• Men are 3–4 times more likely to develop it than women
• A family history of bladder or kidney cancer may increase your risk
• Certain gene mutations also play a role (though less commonly)

 

We don’t get to choose these factors—but we can choose early action if any of them apply to us.

 

Dehydration & Low Fluid Intake

 

It sounds simple, but people who don’t drink enough water allow toxins to stay longer in their bladder, increasing irritation over time.

Hydration helps flush the bladder and keep its lining healthy.
We encourage every patient—especially those with a history of smoking or UTIs—to drink enough water daily and avoid holding in urine for long periods.

 

What We Recommend at IOCI

 

Whether you’re at high risk or just cautious, here’s how we can help:

• Complete urinary screening
• Bladder ultrasounds and urine cytology
• Early treatment planning if needed
• Access to bladder cancer treatment, including Image-Guided Radiation Therapy
• Nutritional and lifestyle counselling for prevention

 

And it all starts with a check-up—not with panic, but with a plan.

Consult our specialists at: IOCI Noida, Greater Noida, Mumbai, Indore, Aurangabad, Agartala, Saharanpur, Kanpur and Jodhpur.