Introduction
Bladder cancer is a malignant neoplasm affecting the lining
of urinary bladder. It is the eighteenth commonest cancer in Hong Kong and accounted
for 1.5% of all cancer new cases in 2008.
New cases
There were 374 new cases of bladder cancer in 2008, with 283
cases of males and 91 cases of females. The male to female ratio was about
3.1 to 1. The crude incidence rates were 8.6 for male and 2.5 for female per
100 000 population of respective sex. The age-standardized incidence rates were
5.5 for male and 1.3 for female per 100 000 standard population. In the past
two decades, the age-standardized incidence rate for both sexes had a downward
trend.
Number of new cases and crude incidence rate of malignant
neoplasm of bladder by sex, 1983-2000
Number of new cases and crude incidence rate
of malignant
neoplasm of bladder by sex, 2001-2008
Age-standardized incidence rate* of malignant
neoplasm of bladder by sex, 1983-2000
Age-standardized incidence rate* of malignant
neoplasm of bladder by sex, 2001-2008
|
Notes:
|
*
|
Age-standardized incidence rates are compiled based on a new world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001.
|
|
|
|
Data in the above charts from 1996 onwards are compiled based on the population estimates under the "resident population" approach instead of the "extended de facto" approach. Also, the Population By-census conducted in July to August 2006 provides a benchmark for revising the population estimates compiled since the 2001 Population Census. |
|
|
|
Figures from 2001 onwards are compiled based on ICD-10
and thus may not be comparable with figures for previous years compiled
based on ICD-9. |
|
Sources:
|
|
Census and Statistics Department
Department of Health
Hong Kong Cancer Registry, Hospital Authority |
Mortality
Bladder cancer was the fourteenth leading cause of cancer deaths in Hong Kong. In
2009, a total of 197 people died from this cancer, accounting for 1.5%
of all cancer deaths. The crude death rates of bladder cancer were 4.3
for male and 1.5 for female per 100 000 population of respective
sex. The age-standardized death rates of bladder cancer were 2.7 for male
and 0.8 for female per 100 000 standard population. In the past 29 years, the age-standardized death rate
for both sexes had a downward trend.
Number of registered deaths and crude death rate of malignant
neoplasm of bladder by sex, 1981-2000
Number of registered deaths and crude death rate of malignant
neoplasm of bladder by sex, 2001-2009
Age-standardized death rate* of malignant neoplasm
of bladder by sex, 1981-2000
Age-standardized death rate* of malignant neoplasm
of bladder by sex, 2001-2009
|
Notes:
|
*
|
Age-standardized death rates are compiled based on a new world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001.
|
|
|
|
Data in the above charts from 1996 onwards are compiled based on the population estimates under the "resident population" approach instead of the "extended de facto" approach. Also, the Population By-census conducted in July to August 2006 provides a benchmark for revising the population estimates compiled since the 2001 Population Census. |
|
|
|
Figures from 2001 onwards are compiled based on ICD-10
and thus may not be comparable with figures for previous years compiled
based on ICD-9. |
|
Sources:
|
|
Census and Statistics Department
Department of Health |
Classification of diseases and causes of death is based on the International
Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)
10th Revision from 2001 onwards. Figures from 2001 onwards may not be
comparable with figures for previous years which were compiled based on
the ICD 9th Revision. Hence, caution should be exercised when interpreting
the trend of diseases across 2000 and 2001.
Bladder cancer corresponds to codes 188 in ICD-9 and C67 in ICD-10.
Symptoms
The commonest symptom of bladder cancer is blood in urine without pain.
Other symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty in starting to urinate,
discomfort during urination and weight loss.
Risk factors
Smoking is the main risk
factor for bladder cancer. The risk of developing bladder cancer in smokers
is two to three times higher than that in non-smokers. Bladder cancer
is more common in male and in elderly. Another risk factor is the chronic
exposure to certain industrial chemicals including aromatic amines and
dyes.
Prevention
The best way to reduce the risk is not to smoke or quit smoking. It is
important to adopt appropriate safety measures when exposed to industrial
chemicals. Individuals should seek early medical advice if symptoms of
bladder cancer are present.
Related information
The Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening under the Cancer Coordinating Committee provides recommendations on preventive measures and screening of major cancers based on a standardised review of scientific evidence. To view the information, please click the following link.
The Department of Health provides
Smoking Cessation Services for smokers including Smoking Cessation
Hotline and Smoking Cessation Programme. To know more on harmful effects
of smoking and tobacco control in Hong Kong, please visit the website
of our
Tobacco Control Office.
For general information on cancer prevention, please browse the website
of the
Health Zone and
Men's Health Programme.
|
