700,000+ Americans have bladder cancer, but we're not all the same.
The good news is that bladder cancer is treatable and some forms are curable.
Patients of color are more likely to die from bladder cancer, mostly due to a late diagnosis and delayed access to treatments.
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Hispanic Americans have higher rates of infection-related cancers, such as bladder cancer. Barriers in accessing quality healthcare can also lead to fewer cancer screenings and later diagnoses.
Additionally, Hispanic American workers employed in industries such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing, may be exposed to pesticides, solvents, and other harmful chemicals. This can increase their risk for long-term health issues, such as bladder cancer.
Research shows that African Americans often have late-stage bladder cancer when they are diagnosed, compared to white Americans. This often leads to a greater chance of dying from bladder cancer.
Access to quality healthcare, preventative care, screening programs, are common issues that affect rates of survival.
Among Asian Americans, a mutation called FGFR3 is more common in urothelial carcinoma, which is the most common form of bladder cancer that first develops in the urinary tract.
Because FGFR3 is often overlooked by both patients and doctors, it’s critical to ask your doctor for genomic testing, if you have bladder cancer. This is especially important since this mutation is found more often in Asian Americans.
There are several risk factors associated with a bladder cancer diagnosis.
Your doctor can confirm the presence of bladder cancer through urine and blood tests. Talk to your doctor about these risk factors to learn more about their impact on bladder cancer.
Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent bladder cancer, there are several steps you can take to help prevent it.
Speak to your doctor about these preventive measures if you feel you might be at risk for getting bladder cancer.
First, don’t lose hope. There are many FDA-approved treatment options, even to treat more advanced bladder cancer. Work with your doctor and consult with an oncologist, a specialist who identifies and treats cancers.
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