Men’s Health Week 2026: Raising Awareness and Supporting Early Diagnosis

Each year in June, Men’s Health Week brings global attention to the health challenges men face, while encouraging action and awareness for better well-being. Running from 15 to 21 June 2026, this year we join the conversation to shine a light on bladder cancer – a disease that disproportionately affects men, but remains under-recognised.

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer among men worldwide. Men are four times more likely than women to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. Despite this, awareness of bladder cancer and its symptoms remains low – contributing to delays in diagnosis and care.

One of the earliest and most common symptoms of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, yet many men may ignore or dismiss it as a minor issue. This lack of awareness can lead to later-stage diagnoses when the cancer is more difficult to treat. Early detection, on the other hand, significantly improves outcomes – bladder cancer has a 90% survival rate when caught early. Our Understanding the Risk Factors of Bladder Cancer factsheet explains the warning signs and key risk factors in clear, accessible language.

At the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, we are committed to changing this through education and awareness. Our Global Patient and Carer Survey revealed that 66% of patients completely understood their diagnosis when it was explained to them, 87% said they received enough support from nurses and other healthcare providers, and 81% felt supported by their doctors.

These figures underline the importance of informed, accessible communication and early support from the healthcare team. But before any of this can happen, awareness must lead the way.

This year’s Men’s Health Week theme focuses on men and pharmacy – and the vital role community pharmacists can play in improving men’s health by improving access to care. For us, this is a timely prompt. A pharmacist can be the first point of contact when a man notices something unusual, including blood in the urine. Encouraging men to speak up – whether to a pharmacist, a GP, or another healthcare professional – is central to our mission to close the care gap and drive earlier diagnoses.

For anyone wanting to understand more about bladder cancer, our What is Bladder Cancer factsheet is a practical starting point, and our Understanding Medical Terms in Bladder Cancer guide helps patients and carers navigate the language of diagnosis and treatment. For those already living with the disease, our factsheets on treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) offer clear, evidence-based information. All resources and campaign materials can be found in our full resource library.

By joining the conversation this Men’s Health Week, you can help spread awareness about the early signs of bladder cancer, encourage men to take charge of their health and speak to a healthcare professional and support earlier diagnoses and better outcomes for all.