Stop Smoking Before You Get Throat Cancer and Bladder Cancer

Throat Cancer

Throat cancer, also known as laryngeal cancer, vocal cord cancer, or cancer of the glottis, occurs when tumors form on the voice box, vocal chords, or other areas of the throat.  Smokers are at a greater risk of developing throat cancer, and those who smoke and drink alcohol are at an even greater risk.  Throat cancer occurs most often in adults over the age of 50.  In addition, men are 10 times more likely to develop throat cancer than women.

Symptoms of throat cancer include a sore throat that does not go away after one to two weeks, even after the use of antibiotics.  Hoarseness that persists for one to two weeks is another symptom.  General difficulty swallowing, neck pain, unintentional weight loss, swelling in the neck, coughing up blood, and high pitched breathing sounds are other symptoms.

Stop Smoking Before You Get Throat Cancer

Bladder Cancer

Stop Smoking Before You Get Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer generally occurs in the transitional cells of the bladder, which are the cells that line the bladder.  Smoking cigarettes makes a person five times more likely to develop bladder cancer.  In fact, up to 30% of women with bladder cancer and 50% of men are caused by smoking.  By the nature of the cancer, bladder cancer spreads to nearby organs, including the vagina, uterus, ureters, prostate, and rectum.  It is also capable of spreading to the pelvic lymph nodes, the bones, the lungs, and the liver.

Symptoms of bladder cancer include frequent urination, blood in the urine, painful urination, and urinary urgency.  Those with bladder cancer may also experience bone pain or tenderness, urinary incontinence, anemia, abdominal pain, weight loss, and lethargy.

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