A risk factor is something that increases your chances of developing cancer. Modifying the following risk factors may help you reduce your risk of bladder cancer.

Stop Smoking

As many as 60% of all cases of bladder cancer may be associated with smoking, including smoking cigars. If you are smoker, you should do everything within your power to stop. You are risking bladder cancer, as well as many other kinds of serious diseases. Contact your healthcare provider to see if you can use an alternative nicotine delivery system (nicotine patch, nicotine gum), hypnotherapy, or group support to help you make this important but difficult lifestyle change.

For more information on quitting smoking, click here.

Avoid Exposure to Bladder Cancer-causing Chemicals

You have a higher-than-normal risk of developing bladder cancer if your profession is any of the following:

  • Painter
  • Worker in the dye, leather, paper, rubber, or metal industries
  • Barber or beautician
  • Plumber
  • Dry-cleaner

If you must work in these industries, research how to best protect yourself from exposure to the chemicals you’ll be around. Check with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or the Environmental Protection Agency about any available protective guidelines.

Drink More Water

Recent research suggests that drinking about 11 cups of water each day can help you decrease your chance of developing bladder cancer; this amount of water dilutes the urine and, consequently, dilutes the concentration of any dangerous chemicals present that might cause cancer. Unless you have some other health condition that might make this much water a health problem for you, this is a simple way to decrease your bladder cancer risk.