Bethesda, MD—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.
“Bladder cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the U.S., but unfortunately most people do not know anything about it, as it is one of the ‘below the belt cancers’ and not often talked about,” said Bill Russell, a Donora, Pennsylvania resident and bladder cancer advocate. “As an 11-year bladder cancer survivor, I can tell you that we need to raise awareness about this terrible disease and help save more lives.”
According to an annual American Cancer Society report, while incidence rates of several 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 during this Awareness Month, it would be if you see blood in your urine—male or female—see your doctor immediately,” said Bill Russell. The most common sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, also called hematuria, although other signs may include back pain, painful urination 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. 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.
