More than 5,500 people die in each from bladder cancer in the UK, according to statistics from Cancer Research UK. It is the 11th most common in the country, with some 10,300 new diagnoses being made each year. With early detection, this cancer can be treated. One of the noticeable signs is in your urine, and spotting it could save your life.
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Blood in urine
A significant warning sign of bladder cancer is having blood in your urine,The Mirror writes. The medical term for this is haematuria, and it can make the urine look pink, bright red, brownish or just laced with blood.
It could also be a sign of urinary tract infection, but you should make that appointment with your doctor to rule out cancer. The news outlet quoted the American Cancer Society as saying:
These symptoms are more likely to be caused by UTI, bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate (in men). Still, it’s important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Other symptoms
It might also interest you to know that 80% of people diagnosed with bladder cancer, reported seeing blood in their urine. The Mirror lists the following as the other signs to look out:
- Pain in your lower abdomen, sometimes in your stomach or back
- Urinating more frequently than normal
- Feeling a very sudden and immediate urge to urinate
- A burning sensation when you urinate
- Feeling tired and unwell
- Loss of appetite
- Bone pain
Cancer Research UK says the survival rate for this cancer is high if detected early.
When diagnosed at its earliest stage, more than 9 in 10 (95%) people with bladder cancer will survive their disease for one year or more, compared with more than 1 in 3 (36%) people when the disease is diagnosed at the latest stage.
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