Recognising symptoms of bladder cancer: New patient factsheet available

We launched our latest resource in the WBCPC Factsheet Series: “Recognising the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer”. This factsheet is designed to help people better understand the early signs of bladder cancer, encouraging timely consultation with healthcare professionals.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, yet awareness of its symptoms remains low. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes, and this resource was developed to empower everyone, including patients, families, and healthcare providers, with accessible and reliable information.

What to look out for

The most common early symptom of bladder cancer is visible blood in the urine, often appearing pink, red, or rusty. Around 8 in 10 people diagnosed with bladder cancer experience this sign. However, other symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, or pain during urination can also appear, especially when combined. The factsheet breaks down these signs clearly, helping people know when it might be time to seek medical advice. 

The factsheet also includes less common symptoms, such as persistent lower back pain or discomfort in the abdomen or bones. These symptoms may be related to advanced bladder cancer and should not be ignored if they occur alongside urinary changes.

Guidance from experts and real patient voices

To support patient understanding and awareness, this resource includes expert advice from Dr. Ashish Kamat, Professor of Urologic Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, who reminds us: “If you notice blood in your urine – even once – or any persistent changes in urinary habits, do not ignore them.”

This factsheet also features testimonials from real-life experiences with bladder cancer from patients across the world, highlighting the importance of listening to your body and acting early. Their stories show that bladder cancer can affect people of all ages and genders.

Designed for everyone

This factsheet is suitable for use by individuals, patient organisations, and healthcare professionals. It is available in both English and Spanish, and includes clear visuals to make the information accessible to a wide audience. It can be printed on demand or shared online to raise awareness in your community. You can request this factsheet in your language by contacting WBCPC Secretariat directly.

We invite you to download, read, and share this new factsheet widely, and help us ensure that no symptom is overlooked.

For more information or to access the full WBCPC factsheet series, please visit our Resources section.

Questions? Contact us at: info@worldbladdercancer.org