Blood in urine… see a urologist

SMOKING is a major contributor to bladder cancer which affects men and women, and is often detected by blood in the urine, according to a South African urologist.

According to Cancer.org, smokers are at least three times more likely to get bladder cancer as non-smokers, and smoking causes about half of all bladder cancers in men and women.

Dr Hugo van der Merwe of The Urology Hospital, Pretoria, has advised people to consult a urologist at the first sign of blood in the urine.

“This is often diagnosed as an infection, but I urge the public to immediately see a urologist because early detection is vital,” he said.

He added that smoking was a major risk factor of bladder cancer. Toxins from cigarettes accumulate in the urine which may damage the bladder lining, contributing to the disease.

Van der Merwe said bladder cancer was relatively common, but most types were benign.

“There is, however, a certain sub-group of bladder cancers, about 20%, which are much more aggressive and require radical therapy – often a combination of chemotherapy and surgery.”

He said that in these cases the goal was to preserve the bladder, although removal was sometimes necessary.

The Urology Hospital uses robotic surgery in bladder cancer treatment. This had resulted in a far less invasive procedure, a reduction in morbidity and enhanced recovery compared with open surgery, said Van der Merwe.

He said a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle played a major role in reducing the risk of bladder cancer, adding that those who worked with leather, petroleum and printing materials faced an increased risk because of the chemicals used in these industries.

Once treated, bladder cancer can sometimes recur, requiring frequent follow-up examinations, he added.