So far, though, his study hasn't followed patients long enough to tell. Ultimately, says Loughlin of the Brigham, the best treatment for bladder cancer will probably be gene therapy to correct messages from errant genes on chromosomes 9 and 17. And the best way to prevent it is not to smoke. Scientists believe that bladder cancer begins when genes on one or both of these chromosomes are damaged by tobacco and other carcinogens. So far, he says, that research is still in its infancy.
Smoking causes nearly half of bladder cancer deaths in men and more than a third in women.
Others at risk include those who are exposed to chemicals called aromaticamines. Painters, as well as people who work in the leather, rubber, dye, and aluminum industries often use these compounds. In recent years, the incidence of bladder cancer has been rising slowly, for unclear reasons. One sign of possible bladder cancer is blood in the urine, either enough to see with the naked eye, or traces detected through urine testing. But this doesn't always indicate cancer.