A Burnham-On-Sea resident is helping Public Health England (PHE) with the launch of a new ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ publicity campaign in the South West to highlight blood in pee as a key symptom of bladder and kidney cancers.
The new health campaign encourages everyone to ‘look before they flush’ and visit their GP without delay if they notice blood in their pee, even if it’s just once.
A new survey reveals that only 16% of adults aged 50 and over (those most at risk of these cancers) in South West say they check the colour of their pee every time they go to the toilet. If people don’t look before they flush, they may not notice blood in their pee.
A new short film featuring TV doctor Dr Dawn Harper is being released as part of the campaign. The film shows what to look out for as the colour of blood in your pee can vary.
Pat Nicholls, 78, from Burnham-On-Sea, a retired teacher and hotelier, is helping ti support the campaign by explaining her story on BBC local radio this week.
She noticed what she thought was blood in her pee while Christmas shopping in December 2015.
Pat gave a urine sample to her GP surgery. She was advised to pick up a prescription for antibiotics as they thought it was probably an infection, and the sample would be sent to the laboratory.
The doctor called back four days later and said it wasn’t an infection and recommended her for fast track to the Urology Department at Musgrove Park.
Following a cystoscopy, it was discovered that Pat had an early stage superficial bladder tumour.
The tumour was removed in January 2016, and tests and investigations since have been negative.
Pat said: “The treatment and care I have had has been excellent. I was lucky that I discovered the blood in my pee so quickly, I use coloured toilet block at home, so it might have been there before, I just didn’t notice it and I had no other symptoms to indicate something might be wrong.”
“A friend of mine was diagnosed with bladder cancer a few years before I was, and she talked quite openly about it, so I did not fear it and the treatment as much as I might have for another cancer.”
“I now talk about my experience and urge everyone to look before they flush, and if they do notice anything, to see their GP as soon as possible.”
Dr Dawn Harper, TV Doctor and GP, pictured top, said: “I’m urging people to be vigilant to changes in their body and to check their pee. I hear all too often about people who have delayed seeking medical advice if they have worrying symptoms – like blood in pee – because they are afraid of what the doctor might find or what the treatment might be.”
“If you do notice blood in your pee, it’s probably nothing serious, but it’s always worth checking with a health professional – you won’t be wasting their time. It’s vital that people don’t put off getting help; if it is cancer, early diagnosis saves lives.”
The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign runs until 23rd September and includes advertising on TV, radio and in washrooms and online. For further information about the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer, search ‘Be Clear on Cancer’.
Puctured: Dr Dawn Harper, TV Doctor and GP, in the TV advert
