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More Than 2,000 Massachusetts Residents Expected to be Diagnosed with Bladder Cancer in 2021

Awareness month sheds light on rising number of cases across the state
Key Takeaways
  • Bladder cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in America
  • Early detection of bladder cancer helps save lives
  • Raising awareness is critically important

Bethesda, MD (May 3, 2021)—Although bladder cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in America, it is an underrecognized, yet very prevalent, disease that affects the more than 600,000 people in the U.S. living with it. To help shed light on this disease that more than 83,000 people will be diagnosed with this year, May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. This special month provides an opportunity to champion bladder cancer research and education, raise awareness of its signs and symptoms, and foster support for those who are touched by this terrible disease. For bladder cancer, early detection saves lives.

 “I was diagnosed with bladder cancer after a routine urine screening—at the time, I had no symptoms,” said Robert Schreiber, Massachusetts resident and bladder cancer advocate. “Now, as a bladder cancer survivor, I can tell you that raising awareness of this terrible disease will help save lives is critical for more positive outcomes.”

According to an American Cancer Society report, while incidence rates of several common cancers are expected to decline in 2021, bladder cancer cases are expected to increase by 3%  this year. Bladder cancer impacts both men and women, and while the disease is less common in women, it is often deadlier because it is diagnosed in later stages. 

Early detection is key—the five-year survival rate for bladder cancer when diagnosed early is 90%, but bladder cancer signs and symptoms can be overlooked by patients and medical professionals. Amid the ongoing pandemic, many bladder cancer patients delayed or avoided making doctor appointments. “If I could tell people one thing, it would be that if you see blood in your urine, see your doctor immediately,” Robert Schreiber said. The most common sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, also called hematuria, although other signs may include back pain, painful urination and/or frequent urination.

To improve public awareness, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) organizes a series of educational events in May and provides thousands of people with the support and resources they need to navigate their bladder cancer journeys. Throughout the pandemic, BCAN is continuing to raise awareness by hosting the now-virtual Walk to End Bladder Cancer and Ask the Experts event, where two leading bladder cancer researchers answer questions from the public.

 “Turning the tide against the rising incidence of bladder cancer in the U.S. starts with education and that includes working to remove the stigma that keeps people from talking about bladder cancer,” said Andrea Maddox-Smith, CEO of BCAN. “Especially during May, we focus our energy and resources on expanding assistance to bladder cancer patients and raising funds for critical research so that one day we will live in a world without bladder cancer.”

To learn more about the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer, visit: https://bcan.org/bladder-cancer-signs-symptoms-risk-factors/  

About Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network

The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) is a community of patients, caregivers, survivors, advocates, medical and research professionals united in support of people touched by bladder cancer. Since our founding in 2005, BCAN has been on the front lines advocating for greater public awareness and increased funding for research to identify effective treatments and, eventually, a cure.

Key Takeaways
  • Bladder cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in America
  • Early detection of bladder cancer helps save lives
  • Raising awareness is critically important
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Turning the tide against the rising incidence of bladder cancer in the U.S. starts with education and that includes working to remove the stigma th...
Andrea Maddox-SmithCEO, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
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Andrea Maddox-Smith
CEO
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Contacts
Mark Story
mstory@bcan.org
202-445-5798
Director of Communications and Marketing