A Get the facts
new NHS campaign is urging people to get checked if they notice blood in their pee. Blood in your urine can be a sign of cancer. But it’s easy for us to ignore.
The NHS initiative comes as a new survey found that nearly half of men thought blood in pee was not a symptom of cancer, while two-fifths surveyed said they would wait until they’ve noticed blood in their pee multiple times before seeing a GP.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England Clinical Director for Cancer, is here to explain the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer – both cancers where passing blood is a symptom.
1. How do you differentiate symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer from infections like UTIS?
It can be quite hard to tell the difference – symptoms of bladder cancer, such as blood in the urine and pain around the bladder, may happen with urinary tract infections, making it difficult to know which one you’re dealing with.
It’s important to seek advice from your GP for these symptoms regardless of the cause and, if the symptoms carry on even after antibiotic treatment, then you should contact your GP practice again.
2. What is the difference in symptoms between men and women?
Bladder cancer has quite similar symptoms in men and women, but it is much more common in men.
So, men, if you’re over the age of 50 with symptoms such as blood in your pee or difficulty urinating, you should contact your GP practice. It may be nothing serious, but getting it checked by your GP will provide you with the right treatment.
3. Does it present differently in children?
Bladder cancer is rare in children, but symptoms such as blood in pee or needing to pee more often may suggest other health problems in children.
It’s always better to get these things checked out.
4. What is the screening and diagnosis process like?
Doctors will test your urine, carry out an ultrasound, CT or MRI scans and usually look inside the bladder with a small flexible camera (a cystoscopy).
5. How is bladder cancer treated?
Treatment depends on whether it is just in the bladder or if it has spread to other places, and includes surgery, chemo, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these.
The earlier you find cancer, the better your chances of successful treatment.
So, if you do notice symptoms that are not normal for you, always contact your GP.