Men are more prone to get bladder cancer than women. If someone in your family has had bladder cancer, your chances to develop it increase. People above 55 years of age are more likely to get it. However, it cannot be completely ruled out in younger people.

- Risk Factor:

Known risk factors for bladder cancer include:

Smoking: Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop bladder cancer than non-smokers.The risk against many types of cancers can be reduced if you quit smoking.

Occupational risk: Those working in rubber, chemical, and leather industries are more prone to develop bladder cancer since they are exposed to various carcinogens. Anybody who is exposed to different chemicals like hairdressers, metal workers, printers, painters and textile workers has high chances of getting it. Truck drivers too are prone to it.

- Treatment:
Stage of the cancer and health determines the kind of treatment to be given to different patients.

Different methods of treatment include:

Transurethral resection
Cancerous cells are removed by placing a cystoscope in the bladder. The cells can also be burnt by passing an electric current through cystoscope,

Radical Cystectomy
This type of treatment involves removal of cancerous cells by taking out the cancer- infested bladder and surrounding parts. In men, prostrate gland and seminal vesicles are removed while uterus, ovaries, and part of the vagina are taken away in women.

Segmental Cystectomy
This treatment is done when cancerous cells have not spread to other areas and is restricted to only one area. In this therapy only the part affected by the cancer is removed.

Radiation therapy Radiations are given to destroy cancerous cells.

Intravesical chemotherapy Anti-cancer drugs are administered through a tube called a catheter, which kills the cancerous cells in the bladder.

Biological therapy
In this treatment, body's immune system is utilized in such a way to fight cancer.

Regular insertion of BCG vaccine in the bladder destroys cancerous cells. Vaccine should be allowed to remain in the body for about two hours after which a patient can urinate.