5 Possible Signs of Bladder Cancer

If you spot changes in your urinary habits — maybe you’re going more often than normal or maybe you see a spot of blood — you might wonder if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or something more serious.  

While these signs might seem minor, they could be indicative of a more serious issue, such as bladder cancer. 

Take a moment as our board-certified urologists share five possible signs of bladder cancer and what to expect when you visit us at Bellingham Urology Group in Bellingham and Mount Vernon, Washington.

1. Blood in your urine

The most common bladder cancer symptom is hematuria, or blood in your urine. You might see the rust-colored blood once in awhile, or you may not even see it at all. Sometimes blood is present but only visible through a urinalysis test.

Although this is a common sign of bladder cancer, it’s also a sign for many other urologic conditions, including a UTI, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, urinary tract stones, or side effects of medication.

2. Frequent urination

Frequent urination could be a sign of various health issues, including UTIs, an overactive bladder, and bladder cancer. You might see an increase in trips to the bathroom overnight, and you might feel like you have to go even when your bladder isn’t full.

If you're urinating more often than usual without any apparent cause, it's worth giving us a call.

3. Pain when urinating

Dysuria refers to pain when urinating, and it’s also a sign of bladder cancer. Many people describe dysuria as a burning or stinging pain.

4. Pelvic pain

Bladder cancer can cause pelvic pain, but as the condition progresses, you might experience pain in other places, such as bone pain, lower back pain, or abdominal pain.

5. Changes in urinary habits

You know your body better than anyone else, so if you notice changes to your normal urinary habits, jot them down. 

What to do if you spot these warning signs of bladder cancer

About half of all bladder cancers are detected while they're still in their in situ state, meaning that the cancerous cells haven’t spread beyond the point where they started. As with any cancer, the earlier you detect bladder cancer, the better your prognosis is. 

In other words, if you spot any of these symptoms, don’t brush them off. The sooner you get evaluated, the sooner you can get the treatment you need — whether that’s for bladder cancer or another condition like a UTI.

Screening for and diagnosing bladder cancer

When you arrive at Bellingham Urology Group, your urologist’s first step is to confirm the source of your symptoms. You can expect a physical exam, a review of your symptoms and health history, urinalysis, screenings, and imaging studies. Together, this paints the picture of your bladder health and confirms or rules out bladder cancer. 

Help for bladder cancer 

If your symptoms are related to bladder cancer, your treatment depends on the stage of your cancer. Bladder cancer treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.

Here at the Bellingham Urology Group, our team offers robotic surgery to remove cancerous tissue. Keep in mind, though, that many of the bladder cancer symptoms listed above are also symptoms of other, less serious conditions. 

To learn more about bladder cancer treatments or to book your next appointment, call 360-714-3402 or click here to request an appointment.