World Health Day – Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures

This year’s World Health Day, held on 7 April, is focused on the theme “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”. The campaign highlights the importance of supporting women and babies before, during, and after birth, so they can live long and healthy lives.

At the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, we support this call by also focusing on the beginning of the journey for people diagnosed with bladder cancer. For many, that beginning is not easy, it often includes delays, misdiagnosis, and a lack of information and support.

More than 610,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, but many do not know the signs to look for. Our Global Patient and Carer Survey found that:

• 54% of patients did not know the symptoms of bladder cancer before their diagnosis
• 64% were unaware that blood in urine is the most common warning sign
• 1 in 5 patients felt their symptoms were not taken seriously – for women, this was 1 in 3
• 69% of women were first misdiagnosed, often with a urinary tract infection

These delays can be dangerous. A late diagnosis can lead to worse outcomes, especially for younger people and women, who already face more barriers to getting the right care.

The theme of World Health Day also reminds us to listen to people and support families. This is just as important for those affected by bladder cancer. Our survey showed that 58% of patients didn’t get enough emotional support. Many younger patients also struggled with financial and social impacts after diagnosis.

A healthy beginning for bladder cancer patients means:

• Better public awareness about symptoms
• More training for doctors to recognise bladder cancer early, especially in women and young adults
• Access to emotional support, financial help, and clear information from the start

This World Health Day, we stand together to support hopeful futures for all, including people living with bladder cancer.

Learn more about bladder cancer and help us raise awareness this May during Bladder Cancer Awareness Month.