Bladder Cancer

Cause

The cause of bladder cancer is not known. Changes in the genetic material (DNA) of bladder cells may play a role.

Bladder cancer is twice as likely to develop in smokers than in nonsmokers. Experts believe that smoking causes about half of bladder cancer in men and more than one-fourth of bladder cancer in women.¹

Exposure to chemicals and other substances at work—including dyes, paints, leather dust, and others—may also cause bladder cancer.^{1, 2}

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Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated: May 25, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
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