The NHS in Nottingham is urging people to ‘Get Clear on Cancer’ with a new campaign launched today.

 

People in Nottingham will see and hear adverts in the local media, in shopping centres and at sporting venues highlighting the simple message that if you see blood in your pee you should see your GP.

 

Blood in pee is a common symptom of bladder or kidney cancer. If you notice blood in your pee, even if it’s ‘just the once’, tell your doctor straight away. The chances are it’s nothing serious, but these cancers are more treatable if they are found early.

 

There are around 16,000 new cases of kidney and bladder cancer in England every year. Together these cancers cause 7,000 deaths annually, but this needn’t be the case. Knowing what to look out for saves lives.

 

“Nottingham City has one of the poorest five year survival rates for bladder cancer,” says Julie O’Boyle, Specialty Registrar in Public Health, NHS Nottingham City. “One of the big reasons for this is that too often people ignore symptoms and wait before they see their GP. If kidney or bladder cancer is diagnosed early the one-year survival rate is around 94%. If the disease is already at a late stage when it is diagnosed this rate falls to 20-35%.

 

“It is so important that people tell their GP as soon as they notice symptoms. If you see blood in your pee, even if it’s just once, tell your GP. You’re not wasting anyone’s time by getting your symptoms checked out and, if it’s not serious, your mind will be put at rest.”

 

Both cancers affect men and women, although they are more common in men. Most people diagnosed with these cancers are over 50. Those with a family history of bladder cancer are more prone to developing the disease, as are those who have worked in manufacturing jobs that involved the use of rubber, dyes, textiles, plastics or certain other chemicals. People on kidney dialysis are more at risk of developing kidney cancer.

 

Blood in your pee is the most common symptom of both types of cancer. Other kidney cancer symptoms include:

• A pain below the ribs that doesn’t go away
• A lump in your stomach

Other bladder cancer symptoms include:

• Needing to pee very often or very suddenly
• Pain while peeing

Having symptoms doesn’t mean it’s cancer. Some symptoms may be caused by an infection or kidney or bladder stones, all of which may need treatment. But it is important to visit your GP to find out for sure. For more information or to find your doctor’s contact details visit www.nhs.uk/bloodinpee.