HEALTH MATTERS: Don't ignore the signs of bladder cancer, urges NHS Highland consultant urologist Karina Laing
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With around 21,000 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer each year in the UK, approximately 1600 of them in Scotland, it is not a rare cancer but is still one of the less well-known cancers, is rarely talked about and many people are unsure what symptoms to look out for.
May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month and we are using this opportunity to raise awareness of what symptoms you should look out for and why getting these checked out as soon as possible is so important.
The majority of people diagnosed with bladder cancer are over the age of 60 but people of all ages can also be affected by this disease.
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in your urine. How obvious the blood is can vary but having this even once is enough reason to speak to your GP.
Other symptoms are related to bladder irritation such as going to the toilet more frequently than normal, having to get up a lot during the night or finding urination painful.
Patients will be referred to the Highland Urology Centre for initial investigation. They will attend for a scan of their kidneys and then have an inspection of their bladder using a thin telescope under local anaesthetic.
Having a dedicated unit has enabled us to focus on clinical investigation and minimised the need for repeat appointments for patients which has significantly improved their journey.
Previously, the clinics and where procedures were carried out were based in separate areas in the hospital, making it logistically very difficult for patients to have additional procedures if these were required after their initial consultation.
After the unit opened in May 2021, it brought together the expertise of the entire team in the one location allowing more flexibility and crossover of knowledge, which benefits both patients and staff.
Having this flexibility has improved the service we are able to deliver and allowed for crossover of our knowledge and expertise.
When the unit opened, the average wait for our patients was 70 days from referral by their GP to the first appointment with us.
We are now seeing patients within 10-14 days. This is a huge improvement and the team are delighted to be able to provide a better service for our patients.
Early diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer can improve your chances of being cured so it is important to speak to your GP if you have any concerns.
We want to use Bladder Cancer Awareness Month to really push home the message that any blood that is passed in the urine must be investigated, even if it just one episode.
If you would like to find out more about bladder cancer the Fight Bladder Cancer website has some very useful information.
* Karina Laing is a consultant urologist and unit clinical director for urology with NHS Highland.
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