Bladder cancer is among the 10 most common types of the disease in the UK, and there is a warning sight that everyone should keep in mind when going to the toilet.
Those who catch the disease early could have a high survival rate - as much as 80 percent - but Action Bladder Cancer UK has said that nearly a quarter of all cases are diagnosed at a later stage.
This is particularly the case for women, writes the Mirror. With that in mind, people should always keep an eye out for blood in the urine.
According to the NHS: "You may notice streaks of blood in your urine or the blood may turn your urine brown. The blood isn't always noticeable and it may come and go."
A study, published in the journal Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy , highlighted that bloody pee is a common symptom to watch out for.
Researchers explained that haematuria is triggered by a direct haemorrhage of the tumour, which describes bleeding.
They found that this warning sign is seen in approximately 85 percent of patients with the disease.
The scientists added that haematuria does not necessarily mean that you have bladder cancer, it could also be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or other health issues.
"These symptoms are more likely to be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate (in men),” said The American Cancer Society.
"Still, it’s important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed."
Other symptoms
While blood in your urine is an important symptom to be aware of, there are other warning signs to watch out for, including:
- A need to urinate on a more frequent basis
- Sudden urges to urinate
- A burning sensation when passing urine.
- Pain in your lower abdomen, sometimes in your stomach or back
- Feeling tired and unwell
- Loss of appetite
- Bone pain
How to reduce your risk of bladder cancer
The American Cancer Society urges people to stop smoking because the unhealthy habit is thought to cause about half of all bladder cancer cases.
People are also encouraged to drink lots of fluids - mainly water - which is believed to help lower your risk of bladder cancer.
The charity added: “Some studies have suggested that a diet high in fruits and vegetables might help protect against bladder cancer, but other studies have not found this.
“Still, eating a healthy diet has been shown to have many benefits, including lowering the risk of some other types of cancer.”
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