BEWARE of blood in your pee – it’s a clear sign of both bladder and kidney cancers.
That’s the message from Public Health England’s ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign following the release of the latest figures – for 2013 – showing that the two conditions claimed the lives of 876 people in the region.
Of these 12 were from Redditch, 15 from Bromsgrove and 33 from Stratford district.
Figures show that in the West Midlands region around, 1,885 people are diagnosed with bladder and kidney cancer each year, with around 1,293 men and 592 women affected.
The Be Clear on Cancer ‘Blood in Pee’ campaign ran nationally in 2013 and 2014. Analysis of diagnoses during the 2013 campaign period shows a statistically significant increase in the number of bladder and kidney cancers diagnosed at pre-cancerous and early stage and a reduction in late stage diagnoses for bladder cancer.
This early detection has been equated to the prevention of around 70 bladder cancer deaths and about 25 kidney cancer deaths.
Dr Lola Abudu, health improvement consultant for Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands, said: “Knowing the symptoms of bladder and kidney cancers and going to see the doctor if you have them could save your life.
“So if you notice blood in your pee, even if it is ‘just the once’, tell your doctor. The chances are it’s nothing serious, but bladder and kidney cancers are more treatable if they are found early. If you don’t check, you may not notice blood in your pee, so remember to ‘look before you flush’ the toilet – and if symptoms persist, go back to your doctor.”
The campaign is aimed at men and women aged 50 and over, as between 90 – 97 per cent of bladder and kidney cancer diagnoses are in people in this age group.
Ian Lavender, Birmingham-born actor, star of Dad’s Army and bladder cancer survivor, said: “I’m supporting this year’s ‘Blood in Pee’ campaign as a survivor of bladder cancer. It’s a simple message ‘look before you flush’, and make sure you go and see your GP if you notice blood in your pee. Spread the word, someone you know might have this symptom and reminding them to get it checked could save their life – it saved mine, and I’m 70 and still happy to be working.”
