'Silent cancer' symptom people may mistake for common illness

'Silent cancer' symptom people may mistake for common illness Around 30 people are diagnosed with this each day A "silent" cancer can display symptoms similar to those of other less severe medical conditions. Approximately 10,900 new bladder cancer cases are diagnosed in the UK annually, according to Cancer Research figures. That's more than one every hour, making bladder cancer the 11th most common cancer in the UK. The disease, dubbed "silent" because it frequently doesn't show symptoms until it has advanced, develops when abnormal tissue growth, a tumour, forms in the bladder lining. Blood in your urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer, though this can also indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI). Several other warning signs also overlap with UTI symptoms. The urgent and persistent urge to visit the toilet and a razor sharp pain that won't go away is something many people have experienced. More than half of women and 10% of men will suffer a UTI at some point. This means it's easy to dismiss this silent potential warning sign of bladder cancer, mistaking the uncomfortable pain for an infection, while the more serious issue goes undetected, as reported by Surrey Live. Tragically, bladder cancer claims the lives of around half of sufferers, according to charity Action Bladder Cancer UK. However, identifying the bladder symptom early and receiving a prompt diagnosis can be life saving, with an 80% survival rate when detected early enough. Ensure our latest health news always appears at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings Other symptoms include needing to urinate more frequently, experiencing sudden or more urgent urges to use the toilet, and/or a burning sensation when passing urine - all of which can also be signs of a UTI. If bladder cancer reaches an advanced stage and has spread, symptoms may include: - unintentional weight loss - swelling of the legs - pelvic pain - bone pain NHS guidance states you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have blood in your urine, even if you do not have any other symptoms, it's the first time it has happened, there's only a small amount of blood, or you're not sure if it's blood. Blood may be bright pink, red, or dark brown. It's usually not caused by anything serious, and could be caused by - as stated above - a UTI, or other causes such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate, but it is important to get checked out.