Smoking and Bladder Cancer Risk

The Leading Cause of Bladder Cancer: Smoking

Many people do not realize that smoking tobacco is the single most known risk factor for bladder cancer. Smoking is estimated to contribute to 50% of bladder tumors. Current smokers are at higher risk than former smokers. Second-hand smoke can also increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. While many people think “vaping” is safer than smoking, recent research suggests that both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes contribute to an increased risk for bladder cancer.

How Smoking Causes Bladder Cancer

More than 7,000 different chemicals are in tobacco and tobacco smoke — more than 70 of them are known to cause cancer. These chemicals cause damage in the most basic level of our bodies, the cells, and genes. The genetic damage caused by smoking leads to uncontrolled cell growth which contributes to the formation of tumors. These tumors can grow and spread throughout the body. The chemicals in tobacco smoke or through vaping get absorbed into the blood, pass through the kidneys and collect in the urine. Urine is in contact with the bladder for many hours at a time. This exposes your bladder to very high concentrations of these chemicals. They can damage the inside of the bladder and increase your chances of getting bladder cancer. Studies have shown a strong association with increased risk of recurrence and disease progression with continued smoking after diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.

The Impact of Smoking on Bladder Cancer Recurrence

Learn more about smoking’s impact on bladder cancer in this webinar about Smoking and Vaping. Or listen to this Bladder Cancer Matters podcast with Dr. Richard Matulewicz.

You can also listen to this podcast with Dr. Marc Bjurlin to explore the profound link between smoking and bladder cancer.

• Patients smoking 1-2 packs or more per day are significantly more likely to have a higher risk of death compared to those who smoke less than one pack per day.
• Even a small reduction in the number of cigarettes or vapes a patient inhales may potentially allow them to live longer after their bladder cancer diagnosis.

Urologic oncologists, the doctors who treat bladder cancer, recommend that patients quit smoking to help avoid recurrence of their disease. In fact, the treatment guidelines from the American Urological Association remind doctors to encourage bladder cancer patients to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, including smoking cessation, exercise, and a healthy diet, to improve long-term health and quality of life.

Quit Smoking to Reduce Bladder Cancer Risk

After they quit, most former smokers often notice their breathing and circulation improve, along with their sense of smell and taste. They reduce the risk of a heart attack and of dying from lung cancer. After ten years, many former smokers’ risk of bladder cancer decreases by half. Quitting now may reduce your risk of your bladder cancer coming back.

It may take several attempts before a smoker can quit forever. Rather than looking at a slip back to smoking as a failure, it should be considered an opportunity to learn from experience and be better prepared to quit the next time.

Some smokers benefit from medications to help them quit. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved seven prescription medications to help people quit smoking. Over-the-counter medications and patches can help reduce your craving for nicotine, a main substance found in smoke. Choosing which one to use is often a personal choice. Ask your pharmacist or health care provider for recommendations. There are prescription drugs that have been shown to help smokers quit.

Counseling combined with medication makes it even more likely than using medication alone that you can quit smoking and stay away from tobacco for good.

Learn about smoking cessation and cancer survivorship here.

How to Quit Smoking After Bladder Cancer Diagnosis

Help can be as close as your smartphone. Quit smoking apps are available, but it is important to choose a program that is based on quit smoking recommendations proven through research to be effective.

• SmokeFree.gov
• American Cancer Society: How to Quit Smoking or Smokeless Tobacco

To have the best chance of quitting tobacco, it helps to know what you are up against, what your options are, and where to go for help. It is hard to quit smoking, but you can do it.

Think about the health benefits of quitting after your bladder cancer diagnosis such as:

• Improved sense of taste and smell and the gradual disappearance of that smoker’s cough
• Healthier lungs, heart and blood vessels
• Lower risk of recurrence of bladder and other cancers
• And there are also social benefits. Your friends and family do not get exposed to your secondhand smoke. You gain more control of your life and health. You set a better example for your kids and grandkids. You can save more than $2,000 per year (the estimated cost of smoking one pack per day). Make a list of your reasons for quitting. Carry the list with you and review it often. No one approach to quitting works for everyone. The key is, to be honest about your needs. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more about your options.

FAQs

What percentage of smokers get bladder cancer?

While the exact percentage of smokers who develop bladder cancer is known, smoking is the leading preventable risk factor for bladder cancer, significantly increasing the likelihood of developing the disease:

• Former smokers have about twice the risk of developing bladder cancer compared to those who never smoked
• Current smokers are approximately 3-4 times more likely to develop bladder cancer compared to non-smokers

Does quitting smoking reduce the risk of bladder cancer?

Yes, quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of bladder cancer. Research has shown several important benefits of smoking cessation for bladder cancer risk including:

• Two to five years after quitting, risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder is cut in half.
• Former smokers have a 39% lower risk of bladder cancer compared to those who continue to smoke

How long after quitting smoking does cancer risk decrease?

According to the American Cancer Society, your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder is cut in half.

Bladder Cancer and Smoking Cessation Resources

Download a printable copy of BCAN’s smoking cessation materials.