Smoking Can Lead to Bladder Cancer !

Graphic warning labels on packs of cigarettes may convince 

some people that smoking ups the risk of bladder cancer, 

says a new study.

A survey of 291 people  found less than half knew that 

smoking cigarettes is tied to an increased risk of bladder 

cancer, but three quarters said a graphic warning label would 

help raise awareness.

Clearly patients do understand the association between 

cigarette smoking and lung cancer or chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease, but we found in this little survey that only 

about 45 percent knew there was any risk of cigarette 

smoking associated with bladder cancer.

The researchers say that past research had suggested 

between 30 percent and 50 percent of all bladder cancers are 

caused by cigarette smoking.

In Canada, cigarette and little cigar manufacturers have to 

cover 75 percent of their product's packages with warnings 

that include graphic images of people with various cancers 

and conditions linked to smoking.

Survey covered more than 300 smokers, less than half knew 

a person's risk of bladder cancer was linked to smoking, 

compared to 98 percent who knew of a link between smoking 

and lung cancer.

After seeing a mock warning label that featured a graphic 

picture of a malignant bladder tumour  about 58 percent said 

it had changed their opinions on smoking and bladder cancer.

That meant the people were probably more convinced of the 

association - not that they would quit smoking, but about 75 

percent thought the label would help get the message across.

LABELS AND CESSATION

He added that it's important to get people to quit smoking, 

because a person's risk of cancer will continue to fall over 

time.

According to the researchers, the risk of bladder cancer falls 

by about 40 percent about one to four years after a person 

quits smoking, and is back to average risk about 20 to 30 

years after quitting.

As time accumulates, the risks do fall off.

One of the labels warns buyers that "cigarettes cause bladder 

cancer," and features a picture of bloody urine, which is a 

symptom of the cancer.