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Bladder Cancer Causes

By Lisa Fayed, About.com

Updated: September 13, 2007

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Question: Bladder Cancer Causes

What causes bladder cancer?

Answer: At this time, researchers aren't sure of what exactly causes bladder cancer. They have, however, identified several risk factors for bladder cancer. A bladder cancer risk factor is something that increases the likelihood of developing bladder cancer. It does not guarantee you will develop the disease.

Risk factors for bladder cancer include:
  • second hand smoke exposure
  • race (caucasians develop the disease more frequently than others)
  • gender (males develop the disease more frequently than females
  • family history of bladder cancer
  • a diet that is high in saturated fat
  • recurrent urinary tract infections
  • recurrent urinary stones
  • chronic inflammation of the bladder
  • cigarette smoking (smoking is attributed to more than half of cases of bladder cancer)
  • infection of a parasite called schistosoma haematobium
  • external beam radiation
  • use of aristolochia fangchi (an herb used frequently in weight loss products)
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