Bladder cancer: detection, prevention, and therapeutics.

Bladder cancer is primarily a disease of middle-aged men with a history of smoking or occupational exposure to carcinogens. Work continues on the development of effective screening methods. Prevention is the magic key in society's attempt to manage this disease. Public awareness campaigns on the hazards of smoking should include information on smoking's link to bladder cancer. Workers in high-risk industries should be made aware of the risk and practice good work habits. In industries where workers handle known bladder carcinogens, protective clothing should be worn. Yet to be determined are benefits gained by reducing the intake of coffee or artificial sweeteners.