Bladder cancer is the sixth most prevalent cancer in the US. It causes more than 16,000 deaths yearly. This often presents with painless blood in the urine.

The risk factors for bladder cancer include

• male sex,
• older age,
• white race,
• occupational exposure to chemicals,
• history of pelvic radiation,
• chronic bladder infection or irritation, and
• cigarette smoking.

If you have painless blood in urine, then see your family doctor. If it is confirmed, then you may need a urologist who will perform a cystoscopy. (a small scope is placed through the urethra to see the inside lining of the bladder).

Should you be screened for bladder cancer?  No.  No major organization recommends screening for bladder cancer due to insufficient evidence that the benefits outweigh the harms of screening.

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