Letha Merrick developed the disease after she quit smoking. Years ago, bladder cancer killed her brother. I was just terrified. And I was never a heavy smoker, but I did smoke, most of my grownup, adult life. And my brother did, too.
Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men, and ninth among women.
He believes early treatment often leads to a high cure rate. Dr. Goldstein says if your urine is red or tea-colored, see a doctor immediately. That symptom demands an evaluation, a work up, he said. Men appear to be more vulnerable to bladder cancer than women. That may be due to a higher rate of smoking among men.