Look before you flush

20th February 2016

Look before you flush!

The successful ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign has returned to the North West to raise awareness of a key symptom of bladder and kidney cancer – blood in pee.

Latest figures show that in the North West around 2,540 people are diagnosed with bladder and kidney cancer each year, with around 1,630 men and 910 women affected. Data also reveals that approximately 1,035 people in the North West die from these cancers annually.

Early diagnosis of bladder and kidney cancer massively increases the chances of survival. For those diagnosed at the earliest stage survival rates can be as high as 84% for kidney cancer and 77% for bladder cancer. However, for those diagnosed at a late stage survival is as low as 10% for kidney cancer and 9% for bladder cancer.

Local GP Dr Cath Briggs said: “Blood in pee is a key symptom for both bladder and kidney cancers. Looking before you flush is really important as these cancers are more treatable if found early. So if you notice anything unusual, come in and see us. It will probably be nothing serious but we want to see you! You aren’t wasting our time. It could save your life.”

This is particularly important for men and women aged 50 and over, as between 90 – 97% of bladder and kidney cancer diagnoses are in people in this age group.

Given that people may not spot blood in their pee unless they check, this year we are urging people to “look before you flush”, particularly to women, who may be less likely to do so.

For further information about the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer, please visit nhs.uk/bloodinpee