Understanding Bladder Cancer

Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer

Last updated and reviewed on May 22, 2026. 

A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of getting a disease. Having a risk factor does not mean you will definitely get bladder cancer, and not having any known risk factors does not mean you are completely protected.

• Tobacco Smoking: This is the most important and most common risk factor for bladder cancer. Cigarette smoking causes about half of all bladder cancer cases. People who smoke are two to three times more likely to develop bladder cancer than non-smokers. Cigar and pipe smoking also raises risk. The longer someone has smoked and the more they have smoked, the higher their risk. The good news is that quitting smoking at any age reduces risk over time.

• Chemical Exposure: People who work with certain chemicals in industries such as dye manufacturing, rubber, leather, textiles, paint, and hairdressing have a higher risk of bladder cancer. The chemicals involved include aromatic amonias and other substances that can be absorbed through the skin or lungs and then excreted through the kidneys into the urine. Arsenic in drinking water has also been linked to increased bladder cancer risk.

• Age, Sex, and Race: Bladder cancer is much more common in older adults. Most cases are diagnosed in people aged 65 to 74. Men are about three times more likely than women to develop bladder cancer. White people are diagnosed more often than Black people, although Black people tend to have worse outcomes when diagnosed.

• Personal or Family History: People who have had bladder cancer before have a higher chance of it coming back. Having a close family member (parent, sibling, or child) who has had bladder cancer may slightly raise your risk. Having a history of Lynch syndrome or other hereditary conditions also increases risk.

• Chronic Bladder Problems: Long-term bladder infections, bladder stones, or conditions that cause repeated bladder irritation over many years can slightly raise the risk of certain types of bladder cancer. Previous treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs or radiation to the pelvis for other cancers also increases risk.

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