Bladder cancer signs and symptoms are few but are very noticeable to the patient.
Please remember that the signs and symptoms given here are not exclusive to bladder cancer. In other words, if you have one or more of the following, it does not mean that you definitely have bladder cancer.
Other urinary tract diseases can also cause the same signs and symptoms.
The most important point here is to remember that if you have any of these signs to seek Medical help immediately for further investigation.
Signs and Symptoms
- Blood in the urine: This is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. Again, remember that the presence of blood in the urine does not mean that you have cancer. Many other conditions can lead to blood in the urine. For example, a urinary tract bacterial infection, stones in the kidney or bladder.
The presence of blood in the urine is called hematuria. If you can see the blood in the urine, it is called gross hematuria. Blood can also be detected during a routine urinalysis. Blood detected by using a microscope is called microscopic hematuria.
- Pain during urination: The pain can range from mild to severe. Pain during urination is called dysuria. This is generally a symptom of bladder irritation caused by something that has gone wrong. A whopping bladder or Urethral infection can cause severe pain while urinating. If you have ever tried to pass a bladder or kidney stone, then you certainly know all about pain.
- Frequent urination: Having to urinate more often than what is your normal especially if you have to get up more frequently during the night.
- Sudden urgency to urinate: Without warning, you suddenly feel that you need to go NOW. If you do not go now, you feel that you are going to have an accident. You will be able to detect this urgent feeling, as it will probably be different from your norm.
- Back or abdominal pain.
- Loss of appetite and weight.
These are the main signs and symptoms of a urinary tract PROBLEM. Not necessarily, bladder cancer since other problems can cause the same signs and symptoms.
The main thing is that if you experience any of the above that you seek Medical attention immediately.
Do not allow the fear of thinking that you might have cancer stop you from getting immediate attention. Fear could cause your demise.
PS The only symptom I had before I was diagnosed was gross blood in the urine. Nothing else.
Posted on March 16th, 2008 by Neil
Filed under: Bladder Cancer - Background, My Cancer
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