Council supports World Cancer Day

As part of World Cancer Day on Sunday, 4 February, East Riding of Yorkshire Council is helping to raise awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer and to encourage people to visit their GP if they have concerns.

The council is supporting the NHS Be Clear on Cancer campaigns, which encourage people to go to their doctor if they notice anything unusual, such as blood in their urine, for example, even if they only see it once.

The chances are it’s nothing serious, but if it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable.

Around 17,450 people in England are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer each year. These cancers can affect people of all ages but are most common in those over 50.

Blood in your urine is a key symptom for both bladder and kidney cancer.

Other bladder cancer symptoms include:

• Cystitis (a urinary tract infection) that is difficult to treat or comes back quickly after treatment
• Pain when urinating.

Other kidney cancer symptoms include:

• A pain in the side, below the ribs, that doesn’t go away
• Weight loss.

Dr Tim Allison, director of public health at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Getting a diagnosis early can make all the difference and so it is important that people act on this message, don’t feel embarrassed and see their GP.”

You’re not wasting anyone’s time by getting your symptoms checked out. If you’ve been to the doctor but your symptoms haven’t gone away, go back – they’ll want to know.

For more information visit nhs.uk/bloodinpee