Doctor of grade II Nguyen Chi Phong, deputy director of Binh Dan Hospital, shared this information on 13/12, on the sidelines of the Vietnam Cancer Imaging Society's annual conference. According to Doctor Phong, the hospital manages and monitors over 10,000 bladder cancer patients annually. Actual data indicates that men are three to four times more likely to develop the disease than women, primarily between 55 and 75 years old. Worryingly, the hospital has also identified many cases in younger individuals, from 16 to 35 years old, who are often their family's primary financial providers.

Doctors at Binh Dan Hospital review a patient's scans before robotic surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. *Le Phuong*

Explaining the causes, Doctor Phong stated that smoking is the leading risk factor. Studies show that approximately 50% to 65% of male patients and 20% to 30% of female patients with bladder cancer have a history of smoking. Smokers face a risk of developing the disease three times higher than non-smokers. This risk persists for many years after quitting but gradually decreases if the individual stops smoking completely.

Beyond smoking, individuals working in environments with frequent exposure to chemicals like dyes, paints, rubber, leather, petroleum, or heavy metals are also at risk. Those with a history of chronic bladder infections, bladder stones, long-term catheterization, or previous pelvic radiation therapy should also be particularly vigilant.

Regarding warning signs, Doctor Phong cautioned that hematuria, or blood in the urine, is the earliest and most common symptom. A concerning aspect that leads many to complacency is that hematuria often causes no pain, appearing then resolving on its own. Patients frequently mistake it for benign conditions such as mild urinary tract infections or kidney stones. As the disease progresses, symptoms like painful urination, frequent urination, urinary urgency, or dull lower abdominal pain become more pronounced.

For accurate diagnosis, Binh Dan Hospital currently employs a comprehensive screening process including specialized urine tests, imaging, and cystoscopy. Cystoscopy is considered the "gold standard," allowing doctors to directly visualize tumors and perform immediate biopsies. Global statistics indicate that approximately 75% of patients are diagnosed at a non-muscle-invasive stage. With timely intervention, the five-year survival rate can exceed 90%. Conversely, when the tumor has metastasized, treatment becomes more expensive and the prognosis is significantly worse.

Experts recommend that individuals, especially men over 40 with a history of smoking or chemical exposure, consult a urologist immediately if they notice any abnormal urine discoloration, even if only once. Early detection not only increases survival chances but also allows for bladder-preserving treatment, helping patients maintain their quality of life.

*Le Phuong*