Urology Awareness Month: Spotting the Signs
Posted on in Medical Negligence
Urology Awareness Month takes place every September to raise awareness of various urological conditions. Its aim is to ensure that individuals can recognise early symptoms of these conditions and receive prompt treatment.
It is a crucial time to raise awareness of the symptoms of urological cancers — a group of cancers that affect the urinary system and reproductive organs.
At Tozers, we are proud to stand with organisations like Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, The Urology Foundation, and Orchid to highlight the early signs and symptoms of these conditions.
What are Urological Cancers?
Urological cancers include:
- Bladder cancer: forms in the tissue lining of the bladder.
- Prostate cancer: starts in the prostate gland and is the most common cancer in men. 1 in 8 men in the UK will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- Kidney cancer: also known as renal cancer, it starts in the cells that filter out waste in the kidneys.
- Testicular cancer: develops in the testicles and often affects younger men. It is the most common type of cancer in men between the ages of 16 and 24 years.
- Penile cancer: abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the skin or tissues of the penis. While rare, mostly affecting men over 50, the incidence of penile cancer has increased by 40% since the early 1990s.
What are some of the main symptoms of Urological Cancers?
Recognising the symptoms of different urological cancers is essential for early detection.
Having any of the below symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer, as these symptoms often overlap with other conditions (which may in themselves need treatment), but it is important to get them checked out.
Symptoms may include:
- Blood in the urine
- Pain in the lower stomach or in one side of the lower back
- Needing to pass urine more often than usual, especially at night
- Urgent need to pass urine
- Experiencing pain or discomfort when passing urine, a weak flow or having to strain
- Feeling like your bladder is not empty after peeing.
Additional symptoms of penile and testicular cancer may include:
- A lump or swelling in the testicle, groin or on the penis
- Changes in skin on the penis such as discolouration or a rash
- Discharge or bleeding from the penis
Why is early diagnosis and treatment key?
While it is important that individuals know the common symptoms of urological cancers and when to seek help, it is also vital that their symptoms are correctly diagnosed and effective treatment is administered as soon as possible.
Treatments for urological cancers are most effective when started early.
According to Cancer Research UK:
- Bladder cancer: around 75% survival at 5 years for early stage (Stage 1) compared to around 10% survival at 5 years for advanced stage (Stage 4).
- Prostate cancer: almost 100% survival at 5 years for early stage (Stage 1) compared to around 50% survival at 5 years for advanced stage (Stage 4).
- Kidney cancer: around 90% survival at 5 years for early stage (Stage 1) compared to around 15% survival at 5 years for advanced stage (Stage 4).
Have You Experienced a Delayed Cancer Diagnosis?
Failing to diagnose urological cancers early can lead to severe complications. Delays or misdiagnoses can significantly affect a patient’s outcome. It can lead to limited treatment options and a poorer prognosis, which is why early diagnosis and timely and effective treatment are key.
Sadly, even with prompt action, GPs or hospitals may on occasion misdiagnose your condition or delay a necessary investigation, which might otherwise have led to an earlier diagnosis and therefore, more timely treatment.
How Tozers can help
We know the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis can have on somebody, particularly when the diagnosis could have been made earlier.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence or a delayed cancer diagnosis, Tozers' experienced and specialist medical negligence team can help you explore whether a legal claim is possible.