Why bladder cancer gets missed, and why that needs to change – Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2025
Bladder cancer is the 9th most common cancer in the world. In 2022, an estimated 614,000 new cases were diagnosed and over 1,9 million people were living with bladder cancer within five years of a past diagnosis [1]. Every May the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition celebrates bladder cancer awareness month. Urinary tract cancers, including bladder cancer, are our main research focus here at Aqsens Health, which is why this year we wanted to take part in raising awareness for bladder cancer. This post explores the early signs people often overlook, the impact of delayed diagnosis, and what we can do to change that.
Bladder cancer is sneaky. Its most common symptoms often mimic several less serious conditions, leading many people to brush them off, or feel too embarrassed to speak up.
Frequent or painful urination, for example, can be signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Aging, an enlarged prostate, or an overactive bladder can also affect urinary habits, making it hard to tell when something more serious is going on.
These similarities with other less serious conditions often lead to missed or delayed bladder cancer diagnoses. Particularly women are often misdiagnosed; over 60% are treated for a UTI before a correct bladder cancer diagnosis is made [2]. This can sometimes critically delay diagnosis and have a negative effect on the effectiveness of treatment.
The most common sign of bladder cancer that should always be taken seriously is blood in the urine [3]. Even a small amount, whether it turns the urine pink, orange, brown, or red, is a warning sign. Sometimes the amount of blood in the urine is so small that it can only be detected in laboratory tests and not at all with the naked eye. It is important to pay attention to any abnormal changes in the color of your urine, and see a doctor if you’re feeling unsure. Early action can make a huge difference.
When bladder cancer goes undiagnosed
If bladder cancer goes undiagnosed for too long, it becomes more difficult to treat. Treating later-stage bladder cancer requires more invasive procedures, such as surgeries, which are taxing for the patient both physically and mentally. Later-stage interventions and treatments are also more costly for healthcare providers.
Although bladder cancer survival rates have improved in the past decade, the five- and ten-year survival rates remain lower compared to other common cancers, such as prostate or breast cancer [4]. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer is 91% and for prostate cancer 97% [5, 6]. For bladder cancer the five-year survival rate is only 78% [7]. However, if bladder cancer is caught at an early stage, the survival rate is can be as high as 80% [7, 8].
These statistics tell a meaningful story: early detection isn't just beneficial, it can sometimes be life-saving. The challenge is making sure more people know the signs to watch out for, act early, and have access to diagnostic tools that make detection easier and more accessible. The earlier bladder cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances for effective treatment and recovery.
What needs to change
What can be done to improve bladder cancer detection and diagnosis? Public awareness of symptoms and risk factors, innovation in diagnostics, and early detection can make a lasting impact.
Raising awareness of bladder cancer, its symptoms and the benefits of early diagnosis is a vital first step. Anyone take part by learning to recognize the most common warning signs like blood in the urine, and by seeking medical advice early, when uncertainty raises.
Right now, there are no screening programs for bladder cancer. The current diagnostic gold standard, cystoscopy, is an invasive and expensive procedure that lacks the sensitivity needed for routine screening. There are however several new technologies that could in the future enable improved, more accessible and cost-efficient early-stage bladder cancer detection. Aqsens Health’s phage-biosensor is among these emerging innovative methods.
When it comes to cancer, early detection is crucial. And awareness is where it starts.
How you can take action this May
Anyone can take part in Bladder Cancer Awareness Month by learning the signs, understanding the risk factors, and encouraging others to take symptoms seriously.
You can start for example by familiarizing yourself with the early symptoms of bladder cancer and by learning why timely detection matters. A great place to begin is the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition website, which offers educational materials, patient stories, and advocacy tools.
Sources:
[1] World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition. 2024. GLOBOCAN 2022: Bladder cancer 9th most common worldwide. Accessed 28th April 2025. Available: https://worldbladdercancer.org/news_events/globocan-2022-bladder-cancer-is-the-9th-most-commonly-diagnosed-worldwide/#:~:text=Bladder%20cancer%20has%20moved%20up,the%20data%20reported%20in%202020.
[2] Knight, T. 2024. Current trends in diagnosing and treating bladder cancer. Fight bladder cancer -blog. Accessed 17th April 2025. Available: https://www.fightbladdercancer.co.uk/blog/current-trends-in-diagnosing-and-treating-bladder-cance/
[3] Mayo Clinic. 2024. Bladder cancer. Accessed 17th April 2025. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20356104
[4] Bristol Myers Squibb. 2018. Addressing Challenges in Bladder Cancer: Expert Roundtable Report. Accessed 17th April 2025. Available: https://actionbladdercanceruk.org/library/directory_listings/46/Addressing%20Challenges%20in%20Bladder%20Cancer%20Report%20-%20October%202017.pdf
[5] The American Cancer Society. 2025. Survival Rates for Breast Cancer. Accessed 17th April 2025. Available: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/breast-cancer-survival-rates.html
[6] The American Cancer Society. 2025. Survival Rates for Prostate Cancer. Accessed 17th April 2025. Available: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html
[7] The American Cancer Society. 2025. Survival Rates for Bladder Cancer. Accessed 17th April 2025. Available: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bladder-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html
[8] Cancer Research UK. 2025. Survival for bladder cancer. Accessed 17th April 2025. Available: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bladder-cancer/survival
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