Urologists play a key role in informing smokers of all cancer risks and encouraging these patients to kick the habit, according to a new study out of the University of Michigan Health System, which found few people are aware of the connection between smoking and bladder cancer.

Cigarette smoking accounts for up to half of all bladder cancer cases, but the risk of developing bladder cancer decreases by 40% in the first 4 years after a smoker quits, according to the authors.

"A big gap exists between patient knowledge and their actual risk," says lead author Seth A. Strope, MD, MPH, clinical lecturer in the U-M Department of Urology. "Our study suggests that physicians must do a much better job of communicating the risk to our patients, and directing them toward smoking cessation programs."