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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living with cancer newsletter

Subscribe to our Living with cancer newsletter to stay up to date on cancer topics.

Although there's no guaranteed way to prevent bladder cancer, you can take steps to help reduce your risk. For instance:

  • Don't smoke. Not smoking means that cancer-causing chemicals in smoke can't collect in your bladder. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about a plan to help you stop. Support groups, medications and other methods may help you quit.
  • Take caution with chemicals. If you work with chemicals, follow all safety instructions to avoid exposure.
  • Drink water throughout the day. Drinking liquids, especially water, dilutes toxic substances that may be concentrated in your urine and flushes them out of your bladder more quickly.
  • Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose a diet rich in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables may help reduce your risk of cancer.
Coping and support
References
  1. What you need to know about bladder cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/bladder/allpages. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
  2. Bladder cancer treatment (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/bladder/healthprofessional/allpages/print. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
  3. Smith DC, et al. Carcinoma of the bladder. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:1635.
  4. Bladder and other urothelial cancers screening (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/bladder/healthprofessional/allpages/print. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
  5. Bladder cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/bladder.pdf. Accessed Feb. 17, 2010.
  6. Guideline for the management of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (stages Ta, T1 and Tis): 2007 update. Linthicum, Md.: American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bc. Accessed Feb. 23, 2010.
  7. Messing EM. Urothelial tumors of the bladder. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/185270227-3/0/1445/0.html. Accessed Feb. 23, 2010.
  8. La Rochelle J, et al. Chemoprevention of bladder cancer. BJU International. 2008;102:1274.
  9. Boehrn K, et al. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009:CD005004.
  10. Busby JE, et al. Chemoprevention for bladder cancer. The Journal of Urology. 2006;176:1914.
  11. Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. March 7, 2010.
DS00177 April 10, 2010

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