May serves as an opportunity to bring awareness to bladder cancer and how it affects patients in the US and around the world. 

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the US, however it is the fourth most common cancer in men. It is estimated that over 82,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2023, with just over 16,000 deaths. Currently, there are over 712,000 people in the US who are living with a bladder cancer diagnosis. 

Globally, it is the 10th most common cancer, with over 570,000 people per year receiving a diagnosis. 1.7 million people around the world are currently living with a diagnosis.

Unfortunately, bladder cancer is a forgotten cancer. Although it has a 90% survival rate if diagnosed early, too often the symptoms are mistaken for other conditions. 

Blood in the urine, pain while peeing, irregular urination, and cloudy urine are all symptoms of bladder cancer. These are very similar to the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), and your health care provider may not be considering cancer as a possibility. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms and you are feeling unsure if your diagnosis of a UTI or another disease is correct, it is important that you request a follow-up or a second opinion.

If you are feeling unsure, get checked!

You can find more information on bladder cancer at worldbladdercancer.org

The Full of Hope Foundation provides financial aid to Arizona patients with all types of cancer, including bladder cancer. If you are a cancer patient in Arizona needing financial assistance, please complete our application for financial assistance.

If you are not a patient in active treatment for cancer, please consider donating to the Full of Hope Foundation. We provide direct financial assistance to cancer patients in Arizona and their families.