The final session of Public Day at the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2026 in Hong Kong, Addressing gaps in support for women with bladder cancer, was chaired by Christine La Rose of BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia, with Angela Pelletier of Bladder Cancer Canada, Hilda Kwok, Nurse Consultant in Urology at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, and Dr Makarand Khochikar, Head of Urology and Urologic Oncology at KIMS Hospital,
News & Events Category: Raising Awareness
Capturing lived experience with bladder cancer: three journeys, one message
On Public Day of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2026 in Hong Kong, the session Capturing lived experience with bladder cancer brought together three people who have lived it: Amit Rele, joining online from India, Junichiro Sano of the Patient Association of Bladder Cancer Japan, and Amy Samuel, President of Bladder Cancer Sénégal. Consistently one of the Forum’s most valued sessions, it gave the day its most personal hour.
Amit Rele: “patients are only limited by their beliefs”
Role of carers in the healthcare system: the person sitting beside the patient
On Public Day of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2026 in Hong Kong, Lori Funk Cirefice, President of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, hosted: “Role of carers in the healthcare system” with Laurent Gemenick and David Garrigues Ronda, the couple who co-founded CANVES, Spain’s first bladder cancer support group. Laurent is the patient. David is his carer.
Lori opened with the premise the whole Forum had been circling: a bladder cancer diagnosis does not land on one person.
Spot the Drop Kenya: from awareness to a community
On Public Day of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2026 in Hong Kong, Marie Magenhann Cueto, Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator at the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, and Charles Muya from the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organisations (KENCO) presented the “Bladder Cancer Awareness Month showcase”.
Bladder cancer is rare in Kenya, rarely talked about, and has no patient community to build on. So when KENCO received a BCAM Grant,
Bladder cancer care realities: perspectives from Japan and India
On Public Day of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2026 in Hong Kong, Junichiro Sano of the Patient Association of Bladder Cancer Japan and Sanjeev Sharma, Co-Founder and Director of Bladder Cancer India and the Lung Connect India Foundation, presented Bladder cancer care realities around the world. Two countries, two very different health systems, and a set of problems that turned out to be strikingly similar.
Japan: thirty years of waiting
For about three decades after BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) treatment arrived in Japan,
World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2026: Explore the agenda and join us in Hong Kong
The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum returns on September 21 and 22, 2026, and for its sixth edition we are bringing the global bladder cancer community together in Hong Kong. Over two days, patient advocates, carers, healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers will gather to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and turn shared ideas into action.
Day one is dedicated to advocates and member organisations, with a focused programme built around practical organisational needs. Day two opens the conversation to a wider audience,
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2026: Resources now available in 31 languages
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) 2026 is approaching and this year carries particular importance.
It marks the final year of the global “Feeling unsure? Get checked.” campaign, a three-year effort focused on one critical issue: people often hesitate to seek medical advice when they notice potential symptoms, especially blood in the urine.
This hesitation can delay diagnosis and affect outcomes. Yet early detection makes a real difference.
EAU26 session highlights the need to close diagnostic and care gaps for women with bladder cancer
At the European Association of Urology Congress 2026 (EAU26), the session “Closing the diagnostic and care gaps for women with urinary cancers and conditions” explored the persistent disparities affecting women with bladder cancer and the actions needed to address them.
The session was moderated by Michelle Colero, our Vice President and Executive Director of Bladder Cancer Canada, who presented the patient advocacy perspective and highlighted the gender inequalities that continue to affect women across the bladder cancer care pathway.
Get involved this World Cancer Day 2026: United by Unique
On the occasion of World Cancer Day , the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) is once again joining forces with the global cancer community to raise awareness. This year, under the theme “United by Unique”, we invite everyone to shine a spotlight on bladder cancer and advocate for equitable, people-centred care for all. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and is now in the second year of a three-year campaign focusing on people-centred care.
Showcase of Bladder Cancer Awareness Month Grant Awardees
At the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025, the spotlight on Bladder Cancer Awareness Month Grants celebrated community-driven innovation from across four continents, showing how small awards can spark meaningful, lasting impact. With live Spanish interpretation available via Wordly, participants heard how Wisdom Zunguzungu, Fiorella Gagliardi, Óscar Rodríguez, and Charles Ogada are closing awareness gaps, mobilising local networks, and bringing vital information to those who need it most.
