Bladder cancer is a sub-category of All cancer deaths (see Map 7).

See also Map 68 Lung cancer, Map 74 Rectal cancer, Map 95 Prostate cancer, Map 96 Diseases of kidney and ureter, and Map 103 Other genitourinary disorders.

It is almost as if someone took a ruler, lined it up horizontally between the Wirral and the Wash, and decreed that below that line the population would be significantly less susceptible to bladder cancer than above it. Only to the east of London and in the more remote parts of northern Scotland and the Scottish borders are there significant deviations from this trend. The highest rates are found in Glasgow, probably reflecting the high prevalence of smoking there. Comparison with the lung cancer map (Map 68) shows the same high spots. As well as smoking, some industrial exposures also increase the risk of bladder cancer.

There are different types of bladder cancer. Most are of the kind that start in the layer of cells which form the lining of the bladder – this is called transitional cell bladder cancer. The types called squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma are much rarer. Bladder cancer can also result from cancer spreading from the prostate, rectum, ovary, uterus and cervix, although these should be coded according to the primary tumour.

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine (although this symptom can indicate many other conditions and does not necessarily indicate cancer). Needing to pass urine frequently and pain when passing urine can also be symptoms.

The actor Telly Savalas died of bladder cancer.