Bladder cancer often begins quietly, with symptoms that can be easy to dismiss. But survivors are now warning others about the most common red-flag symptom they noticed before their diagnosis—blood in urine.

Every year in the UK, around 10,500 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed, according to Cancer Research UK. That equals 29 people every day. Bladder cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the country, accounting for 3% of all new cancer cases. For men, it ranks as the 7th most common, while for women, it’s the 17th.

Even more concerning: about 49% of bladder cancer cases in the UK are considered preventable. Factors such as smoking, exposure to chemicals, and lifestyle choices can raise or lower risk. Because of this, recognizing early warning signs and seeking timely medical help is critical.

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The Most Common Warning Symptom

The NHS identifies blood in urine (hematuria) as the most common and earliest symptom of bladder cancer. For many patients, the change is subtle—a pink tinge that appears once and then disappears.

In 2018, Arthur Hamberger, M.D., noticed just that: “It was the slightest shade of pink you can imagine,” he recalled.

Though it only happened once, Arthur—a physician and already a three-time cancer survivor—knew not to ignore it. He quickly saw a urologist and underwent a CT urogram, a specialized scan of the urinary tract.

The results were startling: he had a large bladder tumor and a mass in his pancreas.

“It showed I had a fairly large tumor in my bladder and a mass in my pancreas,” Arthur told MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Doctors successfully removed the bladder tumor without removing his bladder. They also operated on his pancreas, saving his life yet again. Today, Arthur is a six-time cancer survivor.

“If it were not for that little bit of blood in my urine, they would have never found the tumor in my pancreas,” he said. His case highlights how early signs—even ones that seem minor—can lead to life-saving intervention.

“It Was Just a Little Blood”

Margo Wickersham had a similar experience. She saw pink-colored blood in her urine one morning, then again the next day—but after that, it stopped.

“It was just a little blood, and it was pink, not red,” she said. “But I was a 57-year-old woman and post-menopausal, so there weren’t a lot of reasons to explain it.”

At first, a urine test ruled out a urinary tract infection (UTI). A nurse practitioner suggested simply “keeping an eye on it.” But Margo trusted her instincts and made an appointment with a urologist.

A cystoscopy, which uses a thin tube with a camera to examine the bladder, revealed a small tumor. Further testing confirmed that she had highly aggressive stage 1 bladder cancer.

Later, doctors at MD Anderson also discovered plasmacytoid cancer, a very rare and difficult-to-treat form of bladder cancer known to recur.

“You can’t always go by how you feel. I felt completely fine, but I had blood in my urine,” Margo explained. “If your urine has blood in it, that’s a red flag. See a doctor.”

Other Warning Signs of Bladder Cancer

While blood in urine is the most frequent sign, bladder cancer may cause a range of other symptoms, including:

• Pain, burning, or stinging when urinating
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Needing to urinate more often than usual
• Sudden, urgent need to urinate
• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Pain in the lower abdomen or back
• Aching or tenderness in the bones
• Fatigue and feeling generally unwell

These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for less serious conditions. However, ignoring them could delay diagnosis and treatment.

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Why Early Detection Is Critical

Bladder cancer can progress quickly, but survival rates are far higher when it’s caught early. According to Cancer Research UK, early-stage bladder cancer is often treatable with surgery, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies, while advanced cases are far more difficult to manage.

Both Arthur and Margo’s experiences prove one important lesson: even the smallest sign of blood in your urine is not something to brush off. Whether it happens once or multiple times, it should prompt an immediate visit to a doctor.

Bottom line

If you notice blood in your urine—or any other unexplained urinary symptoms—get checked as soon as possible. It could save your life.