Bladder cancer data

Bladder cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. It can affect anyone, at any age. Bladder cancer data is important to better understand the disease and its impact on the lives across the world. It will allow us and our member organisations to advocate more successfully to improve the lives of people affected by bladder caner and improve the outcomes for bladder cancer patients.

We do not currently collect bladder cancer data as an organisation. However, we have reviewed recent bladder cancer data about the incidence and impact of this disease in several countries. These were prepared for the World Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2020, and are available in the gallery below.

Capturing bladder cancer patient perspectives

Gathering patient experiences is also important to better understand the direct impact that this disease has. Some of our member organisations have recently collaborated on an international survey, which for the first time shed more light on global bladder cancer patient perspectives. This study published in the Journal of Cancer Policy at the end of 2019, examined three key areas in bladder cancer patient experience: diagnosis, treatment, and support.

The study identified a need for greater awareness and understanding of bladder cancer. Further research is warranted to promote early diagnosis and the timely treatment of bladder cancer. The most common initially reported symptom of bladder cancer was visible blood in the urine. Three-quarters of respondents reported that their initial diagnosis was a condition other than bladder cancer. The most popular form of support reported for coping with bladder cancer, for both patients and carers, was friends and family, followed by online support groups. The country comparison showed that awareness of bladder cancer differed widely between countries.

The study is an example of a truly global collaboration of the bladder cancer patient community. The study was created, and disseminated by the European Cancer Patient Coalition and national bladder cancer organisations and groups many of which are members of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition.