What is Bladder Cancer?
When you or someone you know finds out they have cancer, the onslaught of emotions is undeniable. However, there are certain cancers that are worse than others, though having any kind of cancer is tragic.
Bladder cancer is one of those cancers that brings on a whole symphony of health concerns. It is the fifth most deadly cancer in the U.S. and the fourth most common cancer in men. About 9 out of 10 people with this cancer are over 55, which is hard for the body to endure. It occurs more often in men than women and more often in whites than any other race or ethnicity. (x) (x)
A person with bladder cancer is likely to have one or more tumors in their bladder cancer forms when cells of the bladder grow abnormally. If you don’t have the tumor removed or checked, the cells will spread in the body, known as metastasizing. Understanding what bladder cancer is helps in confirming you do or don’t have it. So, it’s imperative that you stay aware of your body, keep it healthy and cancer free.
Types of Bladder Cancer
There are different types of bladder cancer, most of which develop on the inner lining of the bladder. Being aware of them helps you understand diagnosis and treatment. The different kinds include:
- Urothelial cancer is the most common type of bladder cancer
- Squamous cell carcinoma, though it is relatively uncommon, starts in nerve-like cells
- Adenocarcinoma develops from glandular cells and is usually invasive
- Sarcoma is quite rare but, unlike the other types of cancer, it begins inside of the muscle cells of the bladder (x)
Bladder Cancer Symptoms
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood or blood clots in the urine. Other symptoms of bladder cancer may include frequent urination, painful urination, and pain in the lower back. You may experience pain, coughing, or shortness of breath if cancer has moved to other organs like the lungs or the liver. (x) (x)
Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty urinating
- Pain in the pelvis or flank
- Swelling in the legs
- A tumor that you feel
- Puss in the urine
- Constipation (x) (x)
Causes of Bladder Cancer
Though the exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown. However, anything that increases the possibility of getting a disease is called a “risk factor.” Researchers have identified several risk factors for bladder cancer: (x)
Smoking tobacco causes bladder cancer. In fact, smokers are four times more likely to develop bladder cancer than those who don’t smoke. On the positive side, if you quit smoking, you can significantly reduce the risk of cancer over time. (x) (x)
Radiation of the pelvis area, a standard treatment for uterine cancer, increases the risk of bladder cancer.
A nuclear accident or exposure to radiation in the work environment links to getting bladder cancer. (x) (x)
Schistosomiasis is a chronic infection caused by the parasitic flatworms called schistosomes, found in some African and Middle Eastern countries. It rarely occurs in the U.S., but travelers may be infected overseas. (x) (x)
Other Risk Factors
The risk of getting bladder cancer comes from several additional factors:
- Exposure to chemicals used in dye manufacturing, rubber, leather, textile or paint product industries
- Repeated bladder or urinary tract infections
- Long-term catheter use, which can cause inflammation
- Bladder stones
- Bladder birth defects
- Previous long-term cancer treatment with cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide
- Ongoing exposure to cadmium from soil
- Cancer in any part of the urinary tract
- Exposure to agricultural pesticides like chlorophenoxy, organochlorine, imazethapyr and imazaquin (x) (x) (x) (x)
Standard Medical Treatments for Bladder Cancer
You and your healthcare provider decide which medical treatment is best for your cancer. The conventional treatments include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Immunotherapy
- Intravesical treatment, liquid drug directly into the bladder (x)
- Combination of treatments
These medical treatments take a toll on your body, and there are many natural remedies and supplements to help you deal with the side effects of treatment. (x)
Bladder Cancer Remedies and Supplements
The remedies listed here are by no means a substitute for legitimate medical advice. Always talk to a doctor before taking any supplements.
- Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid has many functions in the body. It is an essential nutrient that keeps the body functioning. First of all, it promotes collagen production. Secondly, it reduces DNA damage. Above all, it boosts the immune system and protects against various diseases. (x) (x) (x)
Numerous studies indicate that vitamin C inhibits cancer cell activity and interacts with specific drugs. In one study, vitamin C inhibited bladder tumor growth. When combined with oral and intravenous administration, Vitamin C reduces inflammation and decreases the side effects of cancer treatment. Given these points, long-term use of vitamin C supplements can significantly reduce the risk of cancer. (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)
Needless to say, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects cellular health. For the simple reason that the body cannot make its own Vitamin C internally, it must obtain it regularly from diet or supplements. (x)
- Ginger
Nausea and vomiting are unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy. It is a common occurrence in more than 70% of cancer-related illnesses. Several studies have shown that ginger may help reduce or eliminate nausea and vomiting during and after chemotherapy treatments. (x) (x)
Ginger root extract powder is an age-old remedy with proven healing properties. Ginger contains phenolic compounds such gingerol, paradol and shogaol that have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Ginger reduces cancer-related fatigue, increases appetite in cancer patients and improves the overall quality of life in several studies. However, it would help if you did not take it without your doctor’s approval since the use of ginger may not fit your specific health circumstances. (x) (x) (x)
- Chamomile
Long-term chronic inflammation plays a role in cancer development. Chamomile contains apigenin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant properties. Studies show that apigenin is a bioactive flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (x) (x) (x) (x) As an anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, calming agent and digestive aid, chamomile extract powder is a powerful supplement that may be effective at relieving pain, fighting infection and improving sleep. (x)
- Acupuncture
Indeed, nausea and vomiting, which commonly occur in patients undergoing chemotherapy, can be worse than the disease itself. However, acupuncture can help manage the pain, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer. Combining acupuncture with medication has proven to be highly effective at preventing vomiting. Several studies suggest that it works by de-activating the source of pain by modulating endorphin levels within the central nervous system. (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)
- Other Remedies and Supplements
- Frankincense seems to activate genes that can cause cancer cell death and suppress tumor growth in the cancer. For centuries, as an anti-inflammatory, it may help you prevent or treat cancer. (x) (x)
- Probiotics may boost immunity to cancer and cancer cell death. (x)
- Long-term use of vitamin E may reduce the risk of bladder cancer and bladder cancer mortality, especially in smokers. Note that dosages exceeding 1,000 mg per day may have side effects. (x) (x)
- The regular intake of natural folate may curb the progression of bladder cancer. (x)
- Some aromatherapy oils may help with the side effects of cancer treatment such as nausea, vomiting, stress, depression, pain and inflammation. (x)
Where to Buy Supplements for Bladder Cancer?
You can purchase these supplements for bladder cancer at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of pure dietary supplements.
BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other food and supplement brands to make their products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying any of these powders or supplements mentioned in this article as a possible solution to helping you with bladder cancer? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Healthy Habits to Prevent Bladder Cancer
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day (x)
- Regularly eating dark-green, yellow-orange and cruciferous vegetables and tomato products
- Selenium (dosages exceeding 15 mcg to 55 mcg a day may be toxic) (x) (x)
- Being physically active (x)
- Regularly drinking black tea (x) (x)
The Bottom Line
There is no definite way to prevent bladder cancer, but having a healthy body makes fighting cancer easier for you physically and mentally.
To reduce your risk of obtaining bladder cancer, avoid exposure to carcinogenic, cancer causing chemicals, stay active, drink plenty of fluids and do not smoke. The idea is to keep you strong and cope with cancer treatment. There are several remedies and supplements available. A bladder cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event, and because of the high recurrence rate, patients need to see their doctors and consultants regularly to make sure it does not return.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.