Urinary biomarkers for the optimization of bladder cancer screening

Bladder cancer (BCa) represents the 7thmost frequent cancer in the male population worldwideand the 10th when both genders are considered.Due its high prevalence, result of high incidence andlow cancer specific mortality in low grade disease, BCarepresents a significant clinical and financial burden.Despite our knowledge of the natural history of thedisease and of the risk factors associated with BCa(age, gender, smoking history and certain chemicals)and, the evidence that outcomes, related directly tothe stage of the disease, are affected by delays in thediagnosis, "screening" is not even considered by mosturological societies and relevant international urologicalguidelines.The aim of the present article is to provide the readerwith an up to date, non-systematic, narrative reviewof the most relevant articles focussed on the useof urinary biomarkers (UBMs) in the screening of BCaboth, mass and high risk population screening, theeconomic assessment of the cost-effectiveness of suchprogrammes, as well as, potential innovations for thefuture of BCa screening.