THIS Little-Known Sign in Your Leg Could Be a Sign of a Deadly Cancer

If you notice unusual changes in your legs, like sudden swelling, it could be a potential sign of bladder cancer, according to the NHS. Doctors say it happens when there is an exponential growth of abnormal tissue, known as a tumour that develops along the lining of the bladder.

In some cases, the tumour also spreads into the bladder muscle over time. The most common symptom is blood in the urine, which is typically painless. Even if the bleeding is intermittent and causes no discomfort, it’s important to see your doctor if you notice blood in your urine.

Also known as lymphedema, bladder cancer causes swelling in the leg as the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in the pelvic area, blocking the drainage of lymph fluid and leading to the buildup in the legs due to the disruption in the lymphatic system.

Doctors say it usually happens when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes near the groin area.

According to experts, the pelvic region contains a large network of lymph nodes that get affected by spreading bladder cancer, causing an obstruction to the lymph nodes. Also, when lymph fluid is not able to drain properly due to blocked lymph nodes, it accumulates in the tissues, causing swelling, especially in the legs.

Statistics say bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in males, as men are four times more likely to develop it than women. However, women who do have bladder cancer typically have advanced forms of the disease because they do not know about bladder cancer symptoms.

According to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, women are less likely to pay attention to blood in their pee—the first and most important bladder cancer symptom—because they associate blood in pee with common gynecological issues.

Doctors say this cancer usually affects those over the age of 55 years or older. On average, most people are 73 years old when they are diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Apart from blood in your pee, the most common symptoms of bladder cancer include:

Also known as dysuria, it is a burning or stinging sensation that you may feel when you start to pee or after you pee. Men may have pain in their penises before or after peeing.

Frequent urination happens when you are peeing many times during a 24-hour period.

The flow of your pee may start and stop or the flow may not be as strong as usual.

Bladder infections and bladder cancer symptoms have common symptoms.

According to doctors, while it is not known why exactly bladder cells mutate and become cancerous cells, a few reasons identified as causes of bladder cancer include:

Smoking cigarettes more than doubles your risk of developing bladder cancer.

Radiation therapy to treat cancer may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer.

Certain chemotherapy drugs may increase your risk.

According to studies, those who work with certain chemicals used in dyes, rubber, leather, paint, some textiles, and hairdressing supplies may have an increased risk.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.