Is urine occult blood a sign of bladder cancer?

Hematuria (occult blood in urine) is not necessarily bladder cancer, but bladder cancer may cause hematuria. Occult blood in urine refers to an increased number of red blood cells detected by routine urinalysis and can result from various conditions, such as urinary tract infections or urinary stones. Among these, bladder cancer—one of the most common malignant tumors of the urinary system—can present clinically with hematuria. However, this hematuria may be painless and intermittent, not always persistent. Therefore, when occult blood is found in urine, timely medical evaluation is essential to determine the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment. Additionally, preventive measures for bladder cancer, such as avoiding smoking and reducing occupational exposure to aromatic amines and other chemical substances, are also important.