Smoking cigarettes is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer. Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that collect in your urine and harm the cells in your bladder.

Arsenic is a heavy metal that may contaminate drinking water in some parts of the world. In the U.S., the risk of having arsenic in your water is very low.

People born with a bladder birth defect may be more likely to develop bladder cancer. You may also have a higher risk if you frequently get UTIs or bladder stones.

Chemicals from working with dyes, leather, rubber, paint, textiles and vehicle exhaust can cause bladder cancer. Your risk is even higher if you smoke and work around these chemicals.

If a parent or sibling has bladder cancer, you are more likely to have it. People with retinoblastoma, Cowden syndrome and Lynch syndrome also have a higher risk.

The Chinese herb Aristolochia fangchi could raise your risk of bladder cancer. Previously taking certain anticancer drugs or having radiation therapy on your pelvis may also increase your risk.

This minimally invasive procedure identifies and removes early-stage bladder tumors without major surgery. Our specialists use leading-edge technology to remove cancer while sparing healthy tissue.  Our center is one of the few in the nation to offer blue-light fluorescent cystoscopy. This procedure highlights small, early stage bladder cancers that are difficult to detect with standard white-light cystoscopy. This advanced technology allows us to remove tumors earlier and reduce the chance of cancer returning.

Chemotherapy medication can treat cancer that has spread beyond your bladder and may help prevent recurrence. You receive a personalized plan with the type and dosage that will be most effective for you.

During this procedure, we place cancer-fighting medicine directly in your bladder.

Immunotherapy medications help your immune system find and attack cancer cells. Our experienced team offers immunotherapy for early-stage and advanced bladder cancers, including the newest drugs through clinical trials.

Specialists in our Department of Radiation Oncology provide state-of-the-art treatment for bladder cancer. Our team has expertise in image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), which targets bladder tumors with pinpoint precision.

Targeted therapy is a group of drugs that attack specific parts of a cancer cell. We use genetic tests to identify a medication that can effectively target the tumor cells.

It’s estimated that smoking may cause half of all bladder cancers. If you smoke, try to quit.

Drink plenty of water each day. Staying hydrated helps flush harmful substances out of your bladder.

Eating a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables could help prevent some cases of bladder cancer.

Follow workplace safety practices to avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals.