Bladder cancer: a portal into men's health

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men in the United States, with a 3-fold higher incidence than women. Globally, tobacco smoking remains significantly more common in men, contributing to half of all cases of bladder cancer. To prevent bladder cancer, urologists should promote smoking cessation to patients presenting at earlier ages with concerns such as sexual dysfunction, infertility, pelvic pain, or vasectomy. Bladder cancer also provides an entry point for men into the healthcare system, at which time, urologists can discuss and coordinate attention to other male health issues such as cardiovascular illness, depression, or addiction. By assuming the role of men's health physicians, urologists can have a significant benefit on men's urologic and overall health by targeting risk factors and behaviors.