Bladder Cancer - Ignorance Compromises Care

LONDON, May 6, 2011 - 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 (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
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.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact: Janis Troup/Debra Lord/Updeep Sohal, ABC Secretariat (Right Angle Communications), Tel: +44(0)20-3142-6491 / +44(0)20-3142-6490 / +44(0)20-3142-6495.