Awareness of bladder cancer is worryingly low, experts warn
Europe has one of the highest rates of bladder cancer in the world, yet awareness of the disease remains alarmingly low, according to a new survey by the European Association of Urology (EAU). The survey, which looked at European adults’ knowledge of bladder cancer and its main symptoms, showed that nearly 60% of European adults were not familiar with bladder cancer or how serious it was.
These symptoms are uncommon.
Changes in the color of your urine or blood in your urine are often the first signs of bladder cancer and should see your doctor or healthcare professional right away. However, more than half (55%) of respondents were unaware that changes in urine color could be an early sign of bladder cancer.
Early diagnosis of bladder cancer can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
One of the most common early symptoms of bladder cancer is the presence of blood in the urine. According to the survey, 75% of adults do not always check for urine color changes, and 22% rarely or never check for urine.
Reluctance to seek medical advice.
The new survey also shows that adults are reluctant to seek medical advice even when they notice symptoms. Twenty percent of the participants said that if they noticed a change in the color of their urine from yellow to orange, pink or red, they would wait a week or more before speaking with a doctor or health professional. The most common reason for not seeking medical advice is the expectation that it will get better on its own.
Prof. Arnulf Stenzl, Secretary-General-designate of the EAU and Head of the Department of Urology at the University Hospital Tübingen (DE), specializes in bladder cancer: “For bladder cancer, early detection is crucial, as this improves survival. Patients diagnosed with stage 1 have 80% 5-year survival rate compared to 40% for stage 3 patients.
Our findings send us a very worrying message that there is an urgent need for more public education about the symptoms of bladder cancer and talking to specialists like urologists. This will help achieve early diagnosis and reduce mortality. “
About Bladder Cancer and Urology Week 2022
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Europe, affecting more than 200,000 people each year. It is caused by changes in bladder cells and is usually related to exposure to certain chemicals. For example, smoking has been identified as the greatest single risk factor for bladder cancer. Common symptoms are usually urine-related and include blood in the urine, changes in urine color, painful urination, frequent urination, and more.
What is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer is the growth of abnormal tissue (tumor) in the bladder. There are different stages of bladder cancer. Your treatment and experience will depend on the specific characteristics of the tumor (called the tumor’s “stage”) and the experience of your medical team.
This section provides general information about bladder cancer, diagnosis, and various treatment options. Discuss with your doctor what is best for your individual situation.