The vast majority of French people know little about bladder cancer, which leads to a delay in diagnosis which complicates treatment.
- Only 68% of French people have ever heard of bladder cancer.
- Blood in the urine is the main manifestation of this cancer and should lead to a consultation to make a diagnosis.
- About 5,000 people die from bladder cancer every year.
Bladder cancer is the seventh most common cancer but remains one of the most misunderstood. A survey conducted by Opinion Way for the Merck-Pfizer Alliance and the association Cancer Bladder France, revealed by 20 minutes, argues that only 28% of French people are aware of bladder cancer. More tellingly, 24% of respondents said they did not know which symptoms should be watched for to prevent the disease.
5,000 deaths per year
Awareness of bladder cancer is important since the survey suggests that only 68% of French people have ever heard of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer mainly affects men, about four times more than women, and mainly people over 70 years old. The main factor of its appearance is the consumption of tobacco, responsible for two thirds of the pathology. Of those surveyed, 61% said they were aware that smoking is the main cause of this cancer.
The good chances of treating this cancer depend on the size of the tumour. “People think it’s a treatable cancer – two-thirds of those surveyed – but it depends on the depth and extent of the tumoradvances Frédérick Merlier, founder of Bladder Cancer France. If it is superficial, the chances are better.” “In 20 to 30% of cases, the tumor which was superficial infiltrates the muscleadds Yohann Loriot, oncologist at the Gustave Roussy hospital. And among these patients, 50% have metastases, a stage that we do not know how to cure today. There are about 5,000 deaths per year in France.”
Blood in the urine
One of the major problems with this cancer is its diagnosis, which is often delayed. “I had a frequent urge to urinate, so I consulted, but I did not have an alertsays Frédérick Merlier, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer five years ago. Eight years later, I discovered urinary bleeding. I did not try to understand, I immediately went to the emergency room. Unfortunately, they didn’t see anything. I was sent home. When I had bleeding again, the urologist prescribed me a bladder ultrasound, which revealed a polyp. In my misfortune, I was lucky, it was a superficial and not very aggressive tumor. And above all, I reacted very quickly.”
Bleeding in urine should be the main reason for consultation. “In the vast majority of cases, the number one symptom is visible blood in the urine.abounds Yhoann Lorlot. However, this can have other explanations: kidney stones, urinary tract infections… Often, patients neglect bleeding in the urine, our patients arrive at the hospital sometimes six or nine months after the onset of symptoms. The bladder is not a noble organ, while the brain is associated with intelligence, the heart with love…”
Do not hesitate to get diagnosed
The speed of diagnosis greatly improves care and reduces treatment. “The most serious cancers are treated with surgery, the bladder is removed and patients end up with a urinary bag.underlines the oncologist. The hospital is organized to receive patients. It is better to consult to rule out or confirm a diagnosis of cancer.” The treatments for this disease are known to doctors and allow the disease to be treated correctly. “In three quarters of cases, the tumor is superficialsays Yohann Lorlot. We remove it and afterwards, we do chemotherapy or we use the attenuated BCG vaccine, injected into the bladder, which stimulates the local immune system and reduces the risk of recurrence.”
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