JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW

Journal Article Review

Journal Article Review

Introduction

Bladder cancer is a disease that presents mostly in elderly people and in men more often than women. When bladder cancers are superficial, they can be surgically removed using a special instrument (cystoscope) that provides access to the bladder through the normal urinary drainage system rather than through an operation that requires opening the abdomen. A cotreatment (called an adjuvant treatment) with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine instillations into the bladder is often added. When the tumor penetrates into the bladder muscle, the bladder must be resected or, if resection is not possible, treated with combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If bladder cancer is metastatic (spread to other distant sites), chemotherapy is the treatment of choice. Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. The abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and form lumps of cancer cells (tumors) that disrupt the lung, making it difficult to function properly. The results of different studies indicate that 85 to 95 percent of lung cancers are smoking related, including second hand smoking-related causes. Environmental factors also play a significant role in causing lung cancer.

Strengths and the Weaknesses of the Article

Although the exact cause of bladder cancer is not known, smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to get the disease. Hence, smoking is considered the greatest risk factor for bladder cancer. Workers who are exposed to certain chemicals that are used in the dye industry and in the rubber, leather, textile, and paint industries are believed to be at a higher risk for bladder cancer. The disease is also three times more common in men than in women; caucasians also are at an increased risk. The risk of bladder cancer increases with age. Most cases are found in people who are 50-70 years old (Guillermo, 2007).

Frequent urinary infections, kidney and bladder stones, and other conditions that cause long-term irritation to the bladder may increase the risk of getting bladder cancer. A past history of tumors in the bladder could also increase one's risk of getting other tumors.

Guillermo (2007) mentions one of the first warning signals of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Sometimes, there is enough blood in the urine to change the color of the urine to a yellow-red or a dark red. At other times, the color of the urine appears normal but chemical testing of the urine reveals the presence of blood cells. A change in bladder habits such as painful urination, increased frequency of urination and a feeling of needing to urinate but not being able to do so are some of the signs of possible bladder cancer. All of these symptoms may also be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it is important to see a doctor and have the symptoms evaluated. When detected early and treated appropriately, patients have a very good chance of being cured completely.

Treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage of the tumor. The patient's medical history, overall health status, and personal ...