Bladder Cancer - Poor Understanding Jeopardises Care

LONDON, June 9, 2010 - Bladder cancer: we don't mind talking about it, but over half of us have
no idea what causes it, according to a survey(1) from the new charity, Action
on Bladder Cancer (ABC) - www.actiononbladdercancer.org. The majority
(88%) of 2,055 people invited to participate in the survey were willing to do
so. Yet, over half of those surveyed had no idea what the most common cause
of bladder cancer might be. One-quarter (25%) also had no idea about the
warning signs for the disease. These survey findings mark the launch of
Action on Bladder Cancer (ABC) as the only UK charity purely focused on
improving the lives of people with bladder cancer. With over 10,000 people
being diagnosed every year in the UK2, ABC wants to ensure that bladder
cancer is moved higher up the public health agenda to receive greater
attention alongside prostate, breast and lung cancer.

Bladder cancer is the 4th most common cancer in men(2) and the 11th most
common in women(2). It is quite rare in people under the age of 40 but a
person's risk increases with age. ABC is working with healthcare
professionals, patients, their carers and the general public, to help improve
the treatment and prevention rates of bladder cancer through raising
awareness, education and research.

In the ABC survey, the most common cause of bladder cancer was thought to
be drinking too much alcohol (18% of respondents). Only 5% said smoking and
1% using chemicals at work, which are in fact the two main causes of bladder
cancer. Industries involving dye, rubber, aluminium and leather are linked to
an increased risk of 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.

People living in Scotland, Yorkshire and the 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.

Mr David Gillatt, Chair of ABC and Consultant Urologist in Bristol, says:
"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 national funding
needs to become a priority."

Along with awareness raising and scientific research, ABC intends to help
improve the standards of care in the health service for bladder cancer
patients. At the moment, a patient's care may be influenced by the local
doctor's expertise and interest as well as funding priorities within a
specific Health Authority or Primary Care Trust. Standards need to be
improved and care needs to be consistent throughout the UK.

"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
(www.actiononbladdercancer.org) - we want to work together. We fully
appreciate that other cancer and urology groups are already offering some
valuable support and where it makes sense to do so we are obviously very keen
to combine our heavily focused efforts with them", concluded Mr Gillatt.

References:

1. GfK NOP Survey on bladder cancer for Action on Bladder Cancer, May
2010

2. Cancer Research UK, Cancer Stats Key Facts, Bladder Cancer

info.cancerresearchuk.org/prod_consump/groups/cr_common/@nre/@sta/documents/generalcontent/crukmig_1000ast-2778.pdf

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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 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;
Alliance Pharma; GE Healthcare.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact: Janis Troup/Laura Glover/Debra Lord/Lorna Webley, ABC Secretariat (Right Angle Communications), Tel: +44(0)20-3142-6491/+44(02)0-3142-6495/+44(0)20-3142-6490/+44(0)7703-619989