November is National Bladder Health Awareness Month

Bladder cancer is a common cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. There are three types of bladder cancer, which when diagnosed, helps the healthcare provider to know the most effective way to treat it. 

The three types are:

• Urothelial carcinoma. Urothelial carcinoma, previously called transitional cell carcinoma, occurs in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Urothelial cells expand when your bladder is full and contract when your bladder is empty. These same cells line the inside of the ureters and the urethra, and cancers can form in those places as well. Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer in the United States.
• Squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is associated with chronic irritation of the bladder — for instance, from an infection or from long-term use of a urinary catheter. Squamous cell bladder cancer is rare in the United States. It’s more common in parts of the world where a certain parasitic infection (schistosomiasis) is a common cause of bladder infections.
• Adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma begins in cells that make up mucus-secreting glands in the bladder. Adenocarcinoma of the bladder is very rare. (www.mayoclinic.org)

If you have noticed blood in your urine, have pain while urinating, and are visiting the bathroom frequently, these all symptoms of bladder cancer and would be best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Most bladder cancers are highly treatable when diagnosed at an early stage, so it is important to see you doctor immediately if you are having any of these symptoms.

As an active IRHC member, seeing a participating Urologist, all visits would be covered at 100%. The only out of pocket cost to you would be your $45 office visit copay. Having such great benefits, it should be without hesitation to be proactive and see the doctor if you have any cause for concern.

Learn more about bladder health at urologyhealth.org.