Expert urges bladder cancer vigilance
An American football coach’s experience has prompted a Melbourne doctor to remind Australians of the symptoms of this condition.
A leading urologist and uro-oncologist is urging Australians to be vigilant about the early signs of bladder cancer.
Professor Nathan Lawrentschuk, who is affiliated with the University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, spoke out following recent international attention brought by Deion Sanders, the head coach of the NFL team, Colorado Buffaloes, who has shared his experience undergoing major bladder surgery.
Professor Lawrentschuk, co-founder of the Australian charity Bladder Cancer Australia, praised Sanders for helping to break the silence around bladder cancer, a disease that affects thousands of Australians annually but often goes undetected due to subtle symptoms.
The charity is encouraging the public to seek medical advice promptly if they notice haematuria – blood in the urine – even if it appears faint or occurs only once.
Sanders’ early diagnosis enabled him to undergo a complex surgical procedure to create a neobladder from his small intestine. Such advanced surgeries, including radical cystectomy and the formation of neobladders or ileal conduits, are routinely performed in Australia by expert teams represented by the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ).
“Bladder cancer doesn’t always get the attention it deserves,” said Professor Lawrentschuk.
“It’s not just a smoker’s disease. Many patients have no history of smoking. Other risk factors include age, chemical exposure, chronic bladder inflammation, and family history.”
Tony Moore, fellow co-founder of Bladdercancer.org.au and a bladder cancer survivor, echoed the message with a simple slogan: “If there is blood in the wee, time to see your GP.”
Professor Damien Bolton, President of USANZ, reinforced the importance of early detection, noting that expert surgical care is widely available in Australia.
Key symptoms to watch for include:
- Blood in urine (even once)
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Lower abdominal or back pain.
Bladder Cancer Australia encourages healthcare providers to educate patients and refer them early for urological assessment.
More information and support resources are available here.
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