Understanding treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: New patient factsheet now available

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is the most common type of bladder cancer. Many people are told it is “early-stage” or “highly treatable”, yet are not always prepared for the fact that care often continues over many years.

We are pleased to launch “Understanding Treatment for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)”, a new resource in the WBCPC Factsheet Series. This factsheet was developed to help patients and carers understand how NMIBC is treated over time and why regular follow-up is such an important part of care.

Around 70–75% of bladder cancer cases are diagnosed as non-muscle-invasive disease. Although treatments are often effective, NMIBC has a high risk of recurrence. This means many patients need repeat procedures, ongoing bladder treatments and frequent check-ups, which can be difficult to navigate without clear information.

This factsheet brings together key information in one place to help patients understand what to expect at different stages of care. It explains why doctors may recommend ongoing treatment even when the cancer has been removed, and why tests such as cystoscopy are repeated regularly.

The resource also supports patients in taking an active role in their care. By encouraging questions and open discussions with healthcare professionals, it helps patients feel more confident, informed, and involved in treatment decisions.

This factsheet is intended for patients, carers, patient organisations, and healthcare professionals. It can be used at diagnosis, during treatment, and throughout long-term follow-up. The factsheet is currently available in English, with additional languages planned.

Related resource

For information on treatment options for more advanced disease, we also invite you to explore our companion factsheet “Understanding Treatment for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC)”.

We invite you to explore the full WBCPC Factsheet Series on our page on the website.

Questions? Contact us at: info@worldbladdercancer.org

Disclaimer:  This factsheet has been reviewed by members of the WBCPC Scientific Advisory Board to ensure medical accuracy and alignment with current clinical practice.