Is drinking tap water related to bladder cancer? What are the methods for diagnosing bladder cancer?

To ensure hygiene, most tap water is now disinfected with chlorine. Sometimes when you turn on the tap in the morning, you can smell a sour smell of chlorine. A study in the United States shows that the rate of bladder cancer in people who drink chlorine-disinfected tap water for a long time is 35% higher than that of people who do not drink it for a long time. The probability of bladder cancer in people who swim in swimming pools frequently is 57% higher than that of ordinary people. The reason for these phenomena is that chlorine produces some by-products during the disinfection process. These toxic substances will enter the body through the skin or through breathing and be absorbed by the human body, greatly increasing the risk of cancer.

Long-term drinking of tap water may lead to bladder cancer

The tap water people drink is all treated with chlorine disinfection and sterilization. Thirteen harmful substances can be separated from chlorine-treated water, among which halogenated hydrocarbons and chloroform are carcinogenic and teratogenic. When the water temperature reaches 90°C, the halogenated hydrocarbon content rises from 53 micrograms per kilogram to 177 micrograms, which is twice the national drinking water hygiene standard. Experts point out that drinking unboiled water increases the possibility of bladder cancer and rectal cancer by 21%-38%. When the water temperature reaches 100°C, these two harmful substances will be greatly reduced as the steam evaporates. If it continues to boil for 3 minutes, it will be safe to drink.

How is bladder cancer diagnosed?

1. Routine examination: After centrifuging urine, look for red blood cells under a high-power microscope to determine the presence of hematuria. This is the only way to diagnose hidden hematuria. It is simple and easy to use. This method can be used to detect early bladder cancer patients and can also be used as a routine examination item for high-risk groups.

2. Urine exfoliated cytology: It is a simple, easy and non-invasive examination method, which is of great value for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. About 85% of bladder cancer patients may test positive in urine exfoliated cytology.

3. X-ray angiography: The angiography can be used to understand the bladder filling situation and the scope and depth of tumor infiltration. Combined with renal pelvis and ureterography, it can be used to understand whether there is hydronephrosis, ureteral infiltration and the degree of infiltration.

4. Cystoscopy: It can directly see the growth location, size, number, shape, presence or absence of pedicles, infiltration range, and whether there is bleeding.

Health care for patients with bladder cancer

1. For patients who retain their bladder, they should go to the hospital for a cystoscopy checkup every three months within two years after the operation. If the patient does not experience recurrence within two years, the checkup can be changed to every six months.

2. Prevent retrograde infection of the urinary system. If a sudden high fever occurs, timely diagnosis and treatment should be sought. If the patient has bloody secretions at the urethral opening, be alert to residual urethral tumors and receive timely treatment.

3. Because the patient's urine flows out from the ileostomy in the abdominal wall, a permanent urine collector needs to be installed. The urine collector consists of a urine bag and a base. The base can be replaced once a day, and the urine bag should be replaced once every 1 to 2 days.