I’m keen to support leading UK Bladder Cancer Charities’ push for improved care outcomes for patients, increased disease awareness and early detection, and higher investment in research.
I recently joined with charities including Fight Bladder Cancer, Action Bladder Cancer UK and the Urology Foundation at a parliamentary event to learn more about this disease and improving the inequalities in outcomes particularly for women. Since the early 2000s, mortality rates have decreased in women by just 15%, compared to 21% for men, highlighting a significant gender gap. In addition, 56% of new bladder cancer cases are diagnosed in people aged 75 and older.
I was alarmed to hear that 20,500 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year across the country while it is the 11th most common cancer in the UK. I am concerned that people are not aware of the kinds of symptoms to look for, including blood in urine, leading to late diagnosis in many cases. The significant variations in outcomes for women and men is also of concern, as is the lack of dedicated cancer research funding into this disease.
Over half of the people who get this disease do not survive it, therefore it is essential that awareness is increased since symptoms of bladder cancer could be confused with other diseases or causes, especially for women. I am sure that there will be local constituents who have been affected by this illness and I want to reassure them that I will continue to support early diagnosis as key to ensuring better outcomes and signpost them to these charities which are doing such important work in this field.
