Blood in your wee: Lives in East Midlands at risk by not looking for signs of cancer

Blood in wee is a crucial symptom of bladder and kidney cancer, yet only 14% of those most at risk in East Midlands '“ aged 50 or over '“ check the colour of their wee every time they go to the toilet.
Be Clear on Cancer - new campaign launched by Public Health England in the East Midlands. EMN-180718-104159001Be Clear on Cancer - new campaign launched by Public Health England in the East Midlands. EMN-180718-104159001
Be Clear on Cancer - new campaign launched by Public Health England in the East Midlands. EMN-180718-104159001

Public Health England (PHE) has launched a new ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign in the East Midlands to highlight blood in pee as a key symptom of bladder and kidney cancers.

The campaign will encourage everyone to ‘look before they flush’ and visit their GP without delay if they notice blood in their pee, even if it’s just once.

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A new short film featuring the TV doctor, Dr Dawn Harper, is being released as part of the campaign.

The film shows what to look out for as the colour of blood in your pee can vary – from very diluted, to bright red or even dark brown, like the colour of weak black tea.

Dr Harper said: “I’m urging people to be vigilant to changes in their body and to check their pee.

“I hear all too often about people who have delayed seeking medical advice if they have worrying symptoms – like blood in pee – because they are afraid of what the doctor might find or what the treatment might be.

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“If you do notice blood in your pee, it’s probably nothing serious, but it’s always worth checking with a health professional – you won’t be wasting their time.

“It’s vital that people don’t put off getting help; if it is cancer, early diagnosis saves lives.”

Blood in pee is a symptom in almost two thirds (64%)of all bladder cancers and around a fifth (18%) of kidney cancers.

Worryingly, around 50% of those surveyed in East Midlands said they would not seek medical advice if they saw blood in their pee only once.

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However, 45% of those surveyed said they would wait and see if it happened again, potentially putting off a vital diagnosis.

When asked why they would not go to the GP straight away if they noticed blood in their pee, some concerning delays for seeking help were uncovered; 19% in East Midlands say they would be worried about wasting the GP’s time and 31% would only book an appointment sooner if they had other symptoms.

Latest figures show that every year in England, approximately 19,100 people are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer.

Sadly, nearly 8,000 people die from these diseases.

Early diagnosis is critical; 84% of those diagnosed with kidney cancer and 77% of those diagnosed with bladder cancer at the most initial stage (stage 1) will live for at least five years but at a late stage (stage 4), this drops to 10% and 9% respectively.

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Ben Anderson, Deputy Director for Healthcare Public Health at PHE East Midlands, said: “Cancer survival rates are improving and we know finding cancer early saves lives, but there is still more to do to make people aware of the warning signs and to act on them.

“Many people in our region are unaware that blood in their pee could be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer and are hesitant to see their GP if they have them – for example only 14% of adults say that they check their pee and only 50% would seek medical advice if they saw blood in their pee only once.

“Our message is simple - please don’t hesitate. If you have blood in your pee your doctor will want to see you, you won’t be wasting their time.”

Professor Chris Harrison, National Clinical Director (Cancer), NHS England, said: “The earlier people are diagnosed, the better their chances, which is why it is vital people understand what to look out for and when to visit the GP.

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“This campaign has the important aim of helping raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer and encouraging people to visit their GP after seeing blood in their pee.”

• The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ ‘Blood in Pee’ campaign runs until 23rd September and includes advertising on TV, radio and in washrooms and online.

For further information about the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer, search ‘Be Clear on Cancer’.