(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Smoking cigarettes may not be the only risk factor
for bladder cancer. New research shows certain ecological factors, including
well water and sun exposure, may put you at an increased risk of bladder cancer.
"Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor associated with bladder cancer
but sources such as the patient's water supply are coming to light as potential
unmonitored risk factors," J. Brantley Thrasher, M.D., a spokesperson for the
American Urological Association, was quoted as saying.
Pesticide contamination in unmonitored domestic wells could explain the study’s
findings, which showed well water intake was directly linked with bladder cancer
incidence in women and mortality rates in both sexes. Solar UV radiation was
identified as the best predictor of bladder cancer incidence and mortality in
men, while smoking and solar UV radiation showed the strongest link to bladder
cancer in women.
SOURCE: Presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological
Association
