Bladder Cancer Awareness Month – May 2024

History of Bladder Cancer Awareness Month

Historically, bladder cancer has been associated with environmental carcinogens. This was first discovered in 1895. Before this, German urologist Maximilian Nitze came up with the process of cystoscopy (endoscopy for the urinary bladder) in 1877. Surgical removal of some parts or all of the bladder was performed as a treatment for this type of cancer. It wasn’t until 1903 that radiation was used to treat cysts or tumors in the bladder.

Since the early 2000s, several treatment options have been put in place, thanks to the advancement of science and technology. In 2000, a new chemotherapy combination was introduced, which is deemed more effective and with fewer side effects than M.V.A.C. therapy. More recently, in 2016, new techniques were discovered that detect cancerous tumors in the bladder that are invisible to the naked eye. Now that’s quite some progress, don’t you think?

Currently, with the introduction of new technologies and the rising efforts of awareness campaigns, people are slowly getting acquainted with bladder cancer. However, they are still not fully informed of the risk factors, causes, how to detect symptoms, when to get diagnosed, and other crucial matters. Bladder cancer is commonly observed in the older population and it still poses a threat with its rampant nature.

Healthcare specialists and scientists could not zero in on what exactly causes this type of cancer. But over the years of research, they have discovered some of the common risk factors to be smoking tobacco, arsenic in drinking water, and previous exposure of the pelvic area to radiation. Notably, painters, hairdressers, and dry cleaners are highly susceptible to the disease because of their long-term exposure to harmful chemicals at their workplaces. It’s high time such people are made aware of the consequences.