Since smoking doubles one's risk of getting bladder cancer, avoiding tobacco may prevent at least half the deaths that result from bladder cancer. Taking appropriate safety precautions when working with organic cancer-causing chemicals is another way of preventing the disease.

If a person has had a history of bladder cancer, or has been exposed to cancer-causing chemicals, then he or she is considered to be at an increased risk of getting bladder cancer. Similarly, kidney stones, frequent urinary infections, and other conditions that cause long-term irritation to the bladder also may increase the risk of cancer. In such cases, it is advisable to undergo regular screening tests such as urine cytology, cystoscopy and x rays of the urinary tract, so that bladder cancer can be detected at its early stages and treated appropriately.