America’s terrifying bladder cancer explosion: Actor Dustin Hoffman got lucky… but these are the overlooked early warning signs of the disease that is surging among young people
Dustin Hoffman’s revelation this week that he battled bladder cancer has highlighted just how easily the warning signs of a potentially deadly disease can be mistaken for something far less serious.
The Oscar-winning actor, 89, said he initially believed he was suffering from a urinary tract problem, only for a scan ordered by his doctor to reveal a cancerous tumor.
Hoffman, who underwent successful treatment in 2013, described the diagnosis as extraordinarily lucky, explaining that the cancer had been caught before it had spread.
‘I had bladder cancer. I’m not ashamed to say it. And it was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me,’ he said on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast.
Around 84,000 Americans are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year, including 64,000 men, while roughly 17,000 people die from the disease annually.
And while blood in the urine is the best-known warning sign, the disease can also cause symptoms such as needing to urinate more frequently, a sudden urge to go or a burning sensation when passing urine – all of which can be mistaken for a urinary tract infection.
When bladder cancer is caught early, before it has spread into the muscle of the bladder wall or beyond, treatment is generally much more successful. But failing to recognize the warning signs can mean the disease is only discovered once it has become harder to treat.
Here, the Daily Mail reveals the symptoms you should never ignore, who is most at risk and the steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing the disease.
Dustin Hoffman is pictured with his wife Lisa Hoffman in 2025. The actor announced this week that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer more than a decade ago
Smoking and exposure to toxic chemicals are the main risk factors
Bladder cancer is most common in men over age 65, with an average age at diagnosis of 73, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Non-Hispanic Caucasians are also diagnosed at roughly twice the rate of black and Hispanic individuals.
But recent research from the Cleveland Clinic suggests the disease may be on the rise in adults under 50, particularly young women.
It’s unclear why women are being diagnosed more often, and older men still make up the vast majority of cases, but preliminary research suggests exposures like pollution and microplastics could be to blame.
The biggest risk factor in bladder cancer though, according to the ACS, is smoking.
The agency estimates smokers are at least three times more likely to get bladder cancer compared to those who don’t, and smoking accounts for at least half of all cases.
Cigarette smoking involves inhaling more than 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 carcinogens, which get absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream. Those chemicals get filtered out by the kidneys and concentrated in urine, which sits in the bladder for hours at a time and can lead to cancer-causing DNA mutations.
ACS also cites exposure to industrial chemicals as the other major risk factor, particularly chemicals called aromatic amines, such as benzidine and beta-naphthylamine. These are used in the dye industry.
Industries carrying higher risk of exposure to these chemicals also include makers of rubber, leather, textiles and paint products, as well as printing companies.
Some studies have also suggested arsenic in drinking water and not drinking enough fluids overall may be linked to bladder cancer.
Blood in the urine, as well as changes to urination, are the major warning signs of bladder cancer
Beware of blood in the toilet
Blood in the urine, also called hematuria, is usually the first warning sign of bladder cancer, ACS says.
This may change urine color to orange, pink or, less commonly, dark red if there are significant amounts of blood present. The blood may also come and go.
But in early cases, small amounts of blood cannot be seen and are only detected in urine tests.
Blood occurs because bladder cancer tumors develop fragile, newly formed blood vessels that rupture easily, leaking blood into the bladder. Those vessels can also heal temporarily, causing blood to come and go.
ACS cautions that blood is most often not a sign of bladder cancer and may more commonly indicate an infection, a benign tumor or a kidney or bladder stone.
Another little-known cause is vigorous exercise – most commonly seen in long-distance runners and also after high-intensity interval training.
This occurs as intense physical activity can affect the way the kidneys filter the bloodstream, allowing red blood cells to mix with the urine.
However, any blood in the urine warrants going to the doctor.
WOMAN WHOSE SYMPTOMS WERE BLAMED ON AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER
Abbie Jarvis was diagnosed with stage three bladder cancer after suffering with symptoms for months but doctors assuming she just had overactive bladder
At 27, bladder cancer was the last diagnosis Abbie Jarvis imagined.
Abbie, from Cheshire in the UK, had visited her local emergency room three times in 2023 when she noticed she had to use the bathroom more often than normal. There was also blood in her urine.
But doctors repeatedly turned her away and said they had no idea what was plaguing her. Abbie said she ended up at her primary care doctor four times and the hospital three times with no answers.
‘Especially with my age, I think they just think other things,’ she said.
‘But I don’t think they would ever test me for cancer straight away, even though I had quite a lot of the symptoms.’
Abbie was eventually diagnosed with stage three bladder cancer, despite being at least 30 years younger than the typical patient.
Abbie is now hoping to raise awareness of bladder cancer, especially for young patients.
‘When I was diagnosed, the nurse was really shocked because it’s really rare – I think I was the youngest person who she helps treat,’ she said.
Changes in bladder habits
Changes to bladder habits or how urination feels are also common.
ACS states that these changes, including having to urinate often than usual, pain or burning during urination, sudden urges to urinate, a weak stream or trouble emptying your bladder or having to get up multiple times at night.
As the cancer becomes more advanced, patients may not be able to urinate at all.
These changes are usually caused by a urinary tract infection or overactive bladder, both of which become more common with age in men and women.
However, the signs also overlap with prostate cancer, the most common cancer in American men.
The prostate also naturally increases in size with age, which may cause bladder changes.
ACS encourages patients to seek medical care for any persistent bladder changes.
Be wary of sudden weight loss
As bladder cancer becomes more advanced, patients may notice sudden weight loss, as well as a lack of appetite and fatigue.
In cancer, the immune system releases signaling proteins in response to tumor formation, which can alter how the body processes nutrients and breaks down fat, resulting in dropping weight out of nowhere.
Tumors also put the body’s metabolism into overdrive to fight the disease, potentially causing extra fat burn.
If sudden weight loss has occurred, the tumor has likely grown deeper into the bladder wall or spread to nearby areas, according to Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida.
About 12 percent of bladder cancers are diagnosed at stages three or four, indicating spread.
Body aches and bone pain
This is a common sign that bladder cancer that has spread.
When the disease evolves, it is most likely to reach nearby tissues, such as the urethra or other structures within the pelvis.
But as it progresses, it can reach the bones and destroy existing bone tissue faster than the body can rebuild it, resulting in severe pain.
Cancer in the pelvis can also press on spinal nerves and the spinal cord, causing radiating pain, numbness and weakness.
How you can lower your risk
Quitting smoking is the main lifestyle change those concerned about bladder cancer can make to lower their risk, along with limiting exposure to industrial carcinogens.
Those working in an industry where they are exposed to these chemicals should wear proper safety gear and masks, ACS urges.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day also helps dilute the urine and flush out potential toxins from the bladder, limiting how long the bladder is exposed to them.
Fruits and vegetable intake, and limiting processed meats, has also long been associated with lower cancer-causing inflammation.
And health authorities urge patients who suspect they have a urinary tract infection or bladder stone to seek urgent care to avoid persistent inflammation.
