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Posted on Jul 07, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Few people are aware of the strong link between smoking and the risk of bladder cancer, a new study reveals.
Few people are aware of the strong link between smoking and the risk of bladder cancer, a new study reveals.
The latest research from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that although smoking accounts for the cause of up to half of all bladder cancer cases, more than three quarters of patients remain unaware of the connection.
Senior author of the report, published in the July issue of the Journal of Urology, Dr James E Montie, commented: "The general public understands that cigarette smoking can lead to lung cancer, but very few people understand that it also can lead to bladder cancer."
Figures show that only 22 per cent of patients with the disease were aware of the associated risk from smoking.
Co-author Dr Seth A Strope, clinical lecturer in the U-M Department of Urology, added: "A big gap exists between patient knowledge and their actual risk. Our study suggests that physicians must do a much better job of communicating the risk to our patients, and directing them toward smoking cessation programs."
This year more than 68,000 new cases of bladder cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the US.
