What are the early signs of bladder and kidney cancer?

Did you know that blood in your pee could be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer? The latest bladder and kidney cancer campaign urges people to tell their doctor straight away if they notice blood in their pee

The current NHS Be Clear on Cancer campaign encourages people to go to their doctor if they notice blood in their pee, even if they only see it once. The chances are it’s nothing serious, but if it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable. This year, the campaign is also asking people to “look before you flush” – if you don’t check, you may not notice blood in your pee. This is particularly aimed at women, who may be less likely to do so.

Blood in your pee is a key symptom for both bladder and kidney cancer

 Other bladder cancer symptoms include:

• Cystitis (a urinary tract infection) , which is difficult to treat, or can come back quickly after treatment
• Pain when peeing.

Other kidney cancer symptoms include:

• A pain in the side, below the ribs, which doesn’t go away
• Weight loss.

Don’t be afraid to go to the doctor

You’re not wasting anyone’s time by getting your symptoms checked out. And if you’ve been to the doctor, but your symptoms haven’t gone away, go back – they’ll want to know and they will not think you are a hypochondriac or being a nuisance! And if you know anyone who has any of these symptoms, insist they see their doctor.

Dad’s Army star Ian Lavender, who suffered from bladder cancer, is supporting this year’s campaign. “It’s a simple message ‘look before you flush’ and make sure you go and see your GP if you notice blood in your pee,” he said. “Spread the word, someone you know might have this symptom and reminding them to get it checked could save their life – it saved mine, and I’m 70 and still happy to be working.”

Bladder and Kidney cancer is not uncommon

Around 17,450 people in England are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer each year. These cancers can affect people of all ages but are most common in those over 50.As with all cancers, early diagnosis increases the chance of survival.  If diagnosed at the earliest stage (stage 1), the chances of surviving five years or more can be as high as 84% for kidney cancer and 77% for bladder cancer. However, if diagnosed at a late stage (stage 4), survival is not good, with only 10% for kidney cancer and 9% for bladder cancer.This latest campaign builds on the success of previous Be Clear on Cancer campaigns, which ran nationally in 2013 and 2014. Data from the 2013 campaign showed that 18% more people visited their GP with blood in their pee. There was also an increase in bladder and kidney cancer diagnoses resulting from an urgent GP referral for suspected urological (related to the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs) cancers by 8.2% and 22% respectively.lso an analysis of diagnosis during the 2013 campaign shows a significant increase in early detection, which equates to the prevention of around 70 bladder cancers and about 25 kidney cancer deaths.

Doctor Jenny Harries, Public Health England’s regional director for south of England, said: “It’s vital that we all do our bit to raise awareness that blood in pee could be an early sign of bladder or kidney cancer, and encourage anyone with this symptom to go to their GP. “We know that people don’t always immediately visit their doctor if they spot blood in pee, which can be for a number of reasons – some might ignore the symptoms, especially if it only happens once, or may pass the symptom off as cystitis. If you do notice blood in your pee, don’t wait for it to happen again before getting it checked out, visit your GP straight away.”

Want to know more? For more information including leaflets in alternative formats visit nhs.uk/bloodinpee