Bladder Cancer Symptoms Depending on Gender

July 17th, 2025 by Fuad Elkhoury

This terrible disease affects men and women all over the world. But it is treated differently depending on gender. What is the reason? The doctors interpret bladder cancer symptoms differently. Any error in diagnosis can be fatal! The sooner a person identifies the symptoms and the more correctly the diagnosis is made, the greater the chances of defeating the disease! Bladder cancer affects many people around the world! Now it ranks sixth in terms of prevalence among cancer diseases in the United States. It is most often found in men. According to the American Cancer Society, the likelihood of developing bladder cancer in men during their lifetime is approximately 1 in 27. In women, this risk is approximately 1 in 89. blood in the urine, irritation, pain or burning during urination, the urge to urinate immediately, even if the bladder is not full, pain in the pelvic area, unexplained weight loss – these are dangerous symptoms that you should pay attention to. But what distinguishes the symptoms of this type of cancer in men and women? Let’s figure it out!

Blood in the Urine: Difference in Interpretation

Bladder cancer symptoms (female and male) are the same. But how differently it is interpreted! In women, blood in the urine may not be taken as a possible sign of bladder cancer. Doctors often take this symptom as an indicator of a urinary tract infection. Women may also think that they have postmenopausal uterine bleeding. If blood in the urine is associated with a urinary tract infection, it is important to conduct a urine culture to confirm the presence of an infection. Is the result negative? Symptoms persist despite treatment with antibiotics? Then you should definitely go to the doctor for further clarification. Specialists usually first investigate hematuria by conducting a general urinalysis and urine culture. If there are no signs of infection or postmenopausal bleeding in a woman, the next step is a CT scan. Doctors can perform a cystoscopy. A lighted camera can visualize the bladder directly to reveal what is really going on.

Bladder Cancer Symptoms in Men and Women

When does bladder cancer occur? When bladder cells change and grow uncontrollably. This dangerous, malignant disease can affect men and women differently. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men and occurs almost three times more often than in women. In general, the symptoms of bladder cancer in men are the same as in women. However, bladder cancer is usually diagnosed earlier in men than in women. After all, men do not confuse blood in the urine with menstruation or menopause.

Why Do Men Get Sick More Often?

Men have a higher risk of bladder cancer due to increased exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. The most common cause is smoking. Men smoke more often than women almost everywhere in the world. So, they are the ones who suffer from bladder cancer more often. As studies show, more than a third of men smoke, while less than a tenth of women smoke. These data are based on adults aged 15 years and older and include all tobacco products.

Why is smoking so dangerous? Smokers’ bladders are exposed to carcinogens for a long time. This causes harmful damage to health. However, many people believe that vaping is safer than smoking. However, recent studies show that both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes increase the risk of bladder cancer. This dangerous disease is also caused by exposure to chemicals commonly used in certain industries – textile, dyeing, printing, rubber, leather, paint, and varnish. Painters, tanners, metal workers, miners, plastics manufacturers, and firefighters are more likely to be men. Their bodies are more often exposed to chemicals that can trigger the disease. People with a congenital bladder defect or those who have had to use a urinary catheter for a long time are also at risk of developing bladder cancer.

How to Reduce the Risk of Bladder Cancer in Men and Women?

If you smoke, the first thing you need to do is quit immediately. Unfortunately, heavy smokers have twice the risk of developing bladder cancer as non-smokers. Smoking is estimated to cause 50% of bladder tumors. Passive smoking can also increase the risk of bladder cancer. Some programs and centers help those who cannot continue the habit of smoking.

What else increases the risk of bladder cancer?

• family history of bladder cancer;
• age over 70;
• influence of carcinogens;
• radioactive radiation;
• hereditary predisposition;
• chronic urinary tract infections;
• benign tumors (papillomas);
• chemotherapy, radiation therapy;
• parasitic diseases (schistosomiasis);
• some food additives;
• chronic cystitis, pyelonephritis, urostasis;
• dehydration;
• congenital anatomical defects;
• consumption of chlorinated water;
• long-term use of a urethral catheter;
• infrequent urination (tendency to “endure”);
• uncontrolled intake of certain medications, etc;
• previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

It is important to diagnose the disease as quickly as possible. Timely treatment increases the chances of victory.

How Fast Does Bladder Cancer Develop

The rate of development of the disease depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the process, and the degree of malignancy. As a rule, the disease progresses slowly. Obvious painful symptoms are not observed. And only after some time, a person, as a rule, learns about his illness. Alas, time is often lost. That is why it is important to check your health, even if nothing bothers you regularly.

As the tumor increases in size and affects nearby anatomical structures, the person’s condition quickly worsens. Tumors with a low degree of malignancy grow and spread slowly. Cells of highly malignant neoplasms behave more aggressively. They provoke a rapid pace of development of the process.

How to Treat Bladder Cancer in Men and Women?

The main thing is to detect the disease early. Then, doctors often use combination therapy. Surgical intervention and intravenous therapy give good results. If the disease is in later stages, a common treatment method is removing the bladder during a procedure called radical cystectomy. The urologist will likely remove the lymph nodes or other organs located near the bladder, which may include the ovaries and uterus in women and the prostate gland in men.

Conclusions

Don’t lose hope. With proper health care, you can maintain the desired quality of life even after such events. But you need to trust the professionals who will take care of your health at the highest level. We use the most effective and gentle methods to ensure your rapid recovery.

For some patients with bladder cancer, radiation therapy is an alternative treatment. Which method to choose? It all depends on the body’s individual characteristics, the disease’s stage, and other factors. Orange County Urology’s qualified doctors will select the best option and coordinate all stages of treatment with you.