Bladder Cancer - Ignorance Compromises Care

LONDON, May 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bladder Cancer Awareness Day - Despite being the 4th most common cancer in men and the 11th most common in women[1], over half the people surveyed across Great Britain have no idea what the risk factors for developing bladder cancer are[2].

Only 5% think smoking and 1% think using chemicals at work cause it, whereas these are the two main risk factors for bladder cancer. The most common symptom of, or warning sign for, bladder cancer is blood in the urine, but only half of those surveyed mentioned this[2].

In the United States, May 7th is Bladder Cancer Awareness Day. The survey findings from Action on Bladder Cancer (ABC) mark this date with a long term commitment to increase UK understanding of the causes of bladder cancer, allowing people to seek help and treatment earlier for improved outcomes in care. With over 10,000 people being diagnosed every year in the UK, ABC is calling for greater public support to move bladder cancer higher up the public health agenda to receive greater attention alongside prostate, breast and lung cancer.

"The profile of bladder cancer and, as a result, the care of patients can be significantly improved by asking the public and healthcare professionals and providers to become involved in our dedicated advocacy group, ABC - we want to work together to make a difference," commented Mr Colin Bunce, Chair of ABC and Consultant Urologist, Middlesex.

People living in Scotland, Yorkshire and East of England are more likely to understand the symptoms of bladder cancer. Those in Yorkshire and East Midlands are most likely to know of someone who has, or has had, bladder cancer. Those people living in Wales tended to fare worst in terms of knowledge and understanding of symptoms[2].

Mr Bunce continues: "We don't expect everyone to be an expert, but such a huge lack of understanding can lead to people being mis-diagnosed and/or diagnosed at a later stage in the disease which can narrow down the best treatment choices. Over the last 15-20 years bladder cancer has been in the shadows. Greater public attention is urgently needed to improve understanding about the disease so that people know when and where to go for help. We also need to help people take steps to reduce their risk of getting the cancer in the first place, such as giving up smoking. In short, greater funding and support needs to become a priority."

Action on Bladder Cancer (ABC) is the only UK charity purely focused on improving the lives of people with bladder cancer. Today, with the introduction of new resources (http://www.actiononbladdercancer.org) it encourages volunteers and healthcare professionals to become involved in running local or regional initiatives to improve understanding and dialogue around the disease.

References:

1. Cancer Research UK, Cancer Stats Key Facts, Bladder Cancer http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/bladder/incidence/

2. GfK NOP Survey on bladder cancer for Action on Bladder Cancer, May 2010

Survey Technical Details: GfK NOP interviewed 2,055 adults 16+ using face to face interviewing between 13th-15th May 2010. Data has been weighted to bring it in line with national profiles.

The ABC survey is supported by an educational grant from Kyowa Hakko Kirin UK Ltd.

The official foundation of Action on Bladder Cancer is supported by educational grants from:

Kyowa Hakko Kirin UK Ltd;

Cambridge Laboratories, A division of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd; GE Healthcare.