Incontinence and Bladder Cancer: The Rarely Discussed Link

Bladder cancer is a rare but serious type of cancer that affects the bladder, which is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. Although bladder cancer is most common in men over the age of 55, it can occur in anyone. Unfortunately, bladder cancer is often not caught early because the symptoms, such as blood in the urine or urinary incontinence, are often attributed to other conditions

Incontinence occurs when the bladder muscles are unable to hold urine inside the bladder. As a result, urine leaks out involuntarily. Although incontinence is more common in older adults, it can also be a symptom of bladder cancer. In fact, experts believe that up to 70 percent of people with bladder cancer experience some type of incontinence. If you are experiencing incontinence, it is important to see a doctor so that the underlying cause can be properly diagnosed and treated

There are four main types of incontinence: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, and functional incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when physical activity or movement puts pressure on the bladder muscle, causing it to leak urine. Urge incontinence occurs when an overwhelming need to urinate leads to leakage before reaching a bathroom. Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder muscle doesn't contract correctly or is too weak to empty the bladder completely, leading to constant dribbling. functional incontinence occurs when an underlying condition makes it difficult to get to a bathroom in time

In addition to urinary incontinement, there are several other common symptoms of bladder cancer. These include: blood in the urine; urinary frequency (needing to urinate more often than normal); urinary urgency (a strong need to urinate); and pain during urination. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor so that an accurate diagnosis can be made

Urinary incontinence is not always caused by an underlying medical condition; however, in some cases, it may be a symptom of something more serious, such as bladder cancer. If you are experiencing any type of urinary problem, it is important to see a doctor so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment can be administered.