Urological Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding Bladder Cancer, Symptoms and Early Detection

By guest writer Rosie Buckley

Urological Cancer Awareness Month is held in September every year. Data from Cancer Research UK shows that in the UK, there are a staggering 10,876 new bladder cancer cases every year. While there’s no way to entirely prevent bladder cancer, there are ways to reduce the risk. Urological Cancer Awareness Month provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about bladder cancer and other urology diseases.

What Is Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer is a type of urological cancer, meaning it affects the urinary system. Bladder cancer develops in the tissues of the bladder when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. There are different types of bladder cancer, and each is named after the specific cells where the cancer starts. The most common type is urothelial carcinoma, and this begins in the urothelial cells which line the inside of the bladder.

Common symptoms of bladder cancer to look out for include:

●     Blood in Urine (Hematuria): This is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. Urine may appear bright red, pink or dark brown in some cases. This bleeding usually isn’t painful. The blood is often visible, but at other times it may be so thin that it can only be detected through testing.

●     Changes in Urination: Differences like feeling the sudden urgency to urinate, needing to urinate more frequently, and pain or burning when urinating can all be signs of bladder cancer.

●     Other Possible Symptoms: As well as urine-related symptoms, other possible symptoms include lower back or tummy pain, pain or aching in the bones, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.

Risk Factors of Bladder Cancer

• Smoking: This habit exposes you to harmful chemicals which can enter your bloodstream. Once filtered by the kidneys, these chemicals can collect in the urine, which can damage cells in the bladder lining over time. As well as tobacco smoke, exposure to certain chemicals such as aromatic amines can also lead to bladder cancer.
• Age and gender: Bladder cancer is more common in men than women. The risk of developing bladder cancer also increases with age, and according to the NHS, it’s more common in those over 60.
• Certain conditions and previous treatments: While more uncommon, conditions such as repeated UTIs, untreated bladder stones and diabetes can increase the risk of bladder cancer. Treatments such as having a long-term urinary catheter or previous radiotherapy treatment for cancer in the pelvis may also increase the risk.

The Importance of Early Detection

Prompt diagnosis can help improve outcomes. Early-stage bladder cancer is less likely to have spread, which may allow for less invasive treatment options. If you notice any symptoms such as blood in urine and changes in urination, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as you can. While these may be signs of something else, getting them checked out is important. Following a diagnosis, many people also benefit from understanding the support available to them throughout treatment, including practical advice on supporting cancer patients at home.

Raising Awareness During Urological Cancer Awareness Month

This month highlights the importance of spotting potential symptoms, understanding risk factors, and encouraging people to seek medical advice if they notice any concerning changes.

• Sharing information on social media: Hashtags like #GetChecked allow people to share their personal stories, a powerful tool to encourage people to look out for signs. Sharing statistics from reputable sources is also a great way to spread awareness.
• Look out for information and resources from charities: Many charities like The Urology Foundation aim to raise awareness each September, so keep an eye out for this and how you can get involved.

The Importance of Research in Improving Treatment

Bladder cancer research helps improve how the disease is prevented, diagnosed, treated, and managed. At York Against Cancer, we fund cutting-edge research into bladder cancer and other cancer types at the Jack Birch Unit, located at the University of York.

Previously led by Professor Jenny Southgate, the JBU has made landmark discoveries in understanding the causes, prevention and treatment of bladder cancer, and research findings have been published widely in scientific and medical journals. Now led by Professor Will Brackenbury, the JBU is expanding its cancer research programme to significantly enhance clinical impact for cancer patients, including developing scientifically led clinical collaborations and ensuring research findings can be translated into real-world applications.

To find out more about the amazing work JBU has done, take a look at their website.