When water works don’t work
New research suggests eating too much saturated fat could increase the chance of bladder cancer in men.
A STUDY has revealed new insights into the link between diet and bladder cancer.
The Maastricht University research, funded by the World Cancer Research Fund, found that consuming too much saturated and animal fats increased the risk of bladder cancer in men by 37%.
Saturated fats are found in foods such as fatty cuts of meat, sausages and pies, butter, cheese, chocolate, biscuits, cakes and pastries.
What is bladder cancer?
“The eleventh most common cancer in the UK, bladder cancer is caused by changes to the cells inside the bladder lining,” says Dr Bryony Henderson, GP at digital health provider Livi (livi.co. uk).
There are two main types. With transitional cell bladder cancers (also known as urothelial carcinoma), “the cells lining the wall of the bladder can come into contact with waste products that can lead to cancer, like cigarette smoke,” she says. “With squamous cell bladder cancer, tumours spread through the muscle layer or wall of the bladder to other parts of the body.”
Who is most at risk?
Bladder cancer can affect anyone but most commonly it can be found in those over 55, with men three times more like to be diagnosed than women.
Some medical conditions are correlated with the disease. Dr Henderson explains: “People with type-2 diabetes, those who have experienced repeated bladder infections or bladder stones, those who have a paralysis of the nerves in the bladder resulting from having a tube called a catheter inserted on a long-term basis, and patients who have experienced a rare infection called schistosomiasis [are more at risk].”
What are the symptoms?
“Common bladder cancer symptoms include blood in your urine, dark-coloured urine, need to urinate frequently and urgently, pain or a burning sensation when you pee and pain in the lower tummy,” Dr Henderson explains.
“Pain in your pelvis, pain in your bones, weight loss, or leg swelling”, should be investigated, as well as feeling unusually tired or unwell, she adds.
While any of these symptoms may be caused by something less serious, it’s important to get them checked out by your GP.
How is it diagnosed?
Your GP may suggest that y a urine microscopy, where a sample of your urine is checked for blood cells or infections under a microscope.
“It may be suggested that you are referred to a specialist,” Dr Henderson says.
The specialist may then suggest a cystoscopy, or a CT or MRI scan if a closer look is needed.
“A cystoscopy involves a thin, flexible tube with a camera at one end being passed into your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) and bladder to check for any cancerous cells,” she says. “The doctor may also take a small sample from your bladder to test it (this is called a biopsy), or even remove a superficial tumour if one is found.”
How is bladder cancer treated?
“The treatment you have will depend on the type of bladder cancer that you have,” says Dr Henderson. “Treatment options may include tumour removal using a cytoscope that is passed into your bladder or cystectomy surgery to remove your bladder.”
A course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy might also be recommended.
In terms of the outlook for bladder cancer patients, Dr Henderson says: “Your doctor will be able to advise you about the long-term outlook as it depends on the stage of your cancer.
“This is why it is so important to catch any tumour early so treatment can be started.”
In stage one about 80% of people survive for five years or more, whereas in stage four this falls to about 10%, according to Cancer Research UK (but the statistics don’t take age into account).