Urinary bladder cancer is a prevalent disease that affects the urethra and linings of the bladder. Urothelial cancer occurs in high ratios as compared to the other types such as squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, which account for a low number of cases reported in the country. Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer in the lining of the bladder. It may cause chronic irritation in the bladder resulting in constant infections.
Squamous cell carcinoma is broadly classified as skin cancer as it originates in the tissues. But it falls under the urinary bladder cancer group if it manifests in parts of the bladder. The squamous cell carcinoma in the urinary bladder may be a result of prolonged use of the catheter. Some of the obvious risk factors of squamous cell carcinoma are:
1. Age
Age can be a comprehensive risk associated with bladder cancers. Old age urinary bladder cancer is quite a common condition.
2. Smoking
As smoking in any form excretes hazardous chemicals through urine that passes through the bladder, the chances of squamous cell carcinoma or any other bladder cancer, maybe a high probability for regular smokers.
3. Race and gender
White men are at an increased risk of contracting bladder cancer than others. The actual reasons for this risk factor may be a mystery, although it can be attributed to the genetic characteristics of race or gender.
4. Previous cancer therapy
The risks of developing bladder rise in the case of chemo when cyclophosphamide is used. In addition to chemo, exposure to radiation therapy at the pelvic region may considerably increase possibilities of squamous cell carcinoma.
5. Bladder irritation
A parasite called schistosomiasis found in various parts of the world may lead to constant inflammation of the bladder and chronic urinary infections. Bladder irritation could be a reason for long-term use of the catheter as well.
6. Genetics
Although bladder cancer doesn’t necessarily follow the inherited gene risk, it may be a result of other cancer types such as Lynch syndrome or colorectal cancer, uterus cancer or ovarian cancer.
7. Prevention is better than cure
As the popular saying goes, it may be wise to lead a healthy lifestyle to wade off diseases including cancer. Although cancer may be a genetic condition, you may greatly benefit by adopting careful eating habits and avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals such as tobacco. Food rich in antioxidants, such as fruits and green vegetables, has proven advantages over unhealthy processed carbohydrates and fats.
Conditions of genes, history, and age as common risk factors in squamous cell carcinoma may be beyond our scope of redemption, but we could reduce and counter the risks by an awareness of probabilities of squamous cell carcinoma and the other more common types of cancers in the urinary bladder. Developing a sense of positivity that comes with a healthy lifestyle is most essential in fighting against the cancer of any type, including the rarer types of bladder cancer.