Permission is granted to print and distribute this excerpt for noncommercial use as long as the above source is included. The information in this article is meant to educate and should not be used as an alternative for professional medical care. Bladder cancer is not widely seen in the general population, but its incidence is slightly higher among people who rely on catheterization for bladder management. In a study of 2,660 records at Craig Hospital in Denver of people with spinal cord injuries, only thirteen cases of bladder cancer were found, or less than 1 percent. Still, it is worth knowing what measures you can take to reduce the chances further.
Bladder cancer is more likely when there is repeated irritation to the bladder.
Tumors have been seen inside the bladder at the point where a catheter makes regular contact. Indwelling catheters and suprapubic catheters are thought to be the greatest potential risk. People who use intermittent catheterization are less vulnerable. Some physicians feel the risks of bladder cancer are already lowered by the development of modern antibiotics, and safer nonrubber materials now used for catheters. Anticholinergic drugs such as Ditropan, Propanthline, or Daricon are bladder relaxants which are sometimes prescribed to aid a bladder program, and which can secondarily reduce bladder irritation.