Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2025

May marks Bladder Cancer Awareness Month and this month, we would like to put a spotlight on the signs and symptoms to look out for.

In the UK, over 20,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, yet it is still not widely recognised as a common cancer. The main symptoms include blood in the urine (even if only once), an urgent or frequent need to urinate, and pain or discomfort in the pelvic area.

Jeannie Rigby, CEO of Action Bladder Cancer UK, says, “Recognising the symptoms of bladder cancer is key to early diagnosis. Unfortunately, some cases can be diagnosed late, leading to worse outcomes. Bladder cancer can be overlooked, particularly in women, where symptoms can be confused as urinary tract infections or gynaecological issues. It’s important to never ignore blood in your urine. Be aware of the signs, and visit your GP if you have any concerns”.

(Image description: the Jack Birch Unit team)

At York Against Cancer, we’re proud to promote the ground-breaking research conducted at the Jack Birch Unit at the University of York, researching the causes, treatment and prevention of bladder cancer.

Professor Jenny Southgate, Director of the Jack Birch Unit, says, “Bladder cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the UK, with over 23,000 people diagnosed each year and over 100,000 people living with it in the UK. It is one of the most expensive cancers for the NHS to treat, yet it receives less than 1% of dedicated UK cancer research funding.”

This is why the work that we support at the Jack Birch Unit is so vital, as they seek to understand the “how” and “why” of bladder cancer and discover how to stop it before it starts.

To find out more about the research being conducted at the Jack Birch Unit, click here.