Urology Hospital
Suite 5, 1162 Cnr Grosvenor St &, Pretorius St, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028.
info@africaurology.com
Urology Hospital: 012 423 4204
Cure Day Hospital: 010 500 3339
Jacaranda Hospital: 012 421 6808
Suite 5, 1162 Cnr Grosvenor St &, Pretorius St, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028.
Urology Hospital: 012 423 4204
Cure Day Hospital: 010 500 3339
Jacaranda Hospital: 012 421 6808
Sometimes the cause is something relatively straightforward, such as a urinary tract infection.
But sometimes urinary symptoms can be a sign of something that needs further investigation.
Bladder cancer is one of the conditions that should be considered when certain urinary symptoms occur — particularly blood in the urine.
That doesn’t mean every person with blood in their urine has cancer.
It means the symptom deserves appropriate attention.
Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the bladder begin to grow in an uncontrolled way.
The bladder is the organ that stores urine before it leaves the body.
There are different types and stages of bladder cancer, and treatment depends on factors including the type of cancer, how deeply it has grown into the bladder wall and whether it has spread.
But before treatment can be discussed, the first step is recognising when something may need to be investigated.
Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. You may see blood clearly when you urinate. Your urine may appear pink, red or rusty.
But sometimes the amount of blood is so small that you cannot see it and it is only detected during testing.
Importantly, blood in the urine does not automatically mean bladder cancer.
Urinary tract infections, kidney or bladder stones and other urinary conditions can also cause blood in the urine.
That’s exactly why it should be assessed rather than guessed at.
You may find yourself needing to urinate more often than usual.
You might also notice that you’re waking frequently during the night to urinate.
Frequent urination can occur for many reasons, so it does not mean that you have bladder cancer.
But persistent or unexplained changes in your normal urinary pattern deserve attention.
Some people experience a persistent feeling that they need to urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full.
This urgency can have many causes, including infections and other bladder conditions.
If it persists, keeps returning or occurs alongside other concerning symptoms, it may need further assessment.
Pain or burning during urination is commonly associated with urinary tract infections.
But it can also occur with other urinary conditions, including bladder cancer.
The symptom itself doesn’t tell you the cause.
That’s why persistent or recurring urinary symptoms should be properly evaluated rather than repeatedly assumed to be the same problem.
This is where the story can become confusing. You experience burning. You go to the bathroom frequently. You may be diagnosed with a UTI. You receive treatment. The symptoms improve, then they return.
Sometimes this really is a recurrent infection.
But similar urinary symptoms can occur with different conditions, which means repeated symptoms may deserve a closer look. This is particularly important if you’re repeatedly being treated for UTIs without understanding why the symptoms keep returning.
Recurring symptoms don’t automatically mean cancer.
But they can be a reason to ask a bigger question: Why does this keep happening?
One of the reasons bladder cancer can be missed is that symptoms can sometimes come and go.
But the absence of blood later doesn’t necessarily explain why it happened in the first place.
If you’ve noticed blood in your urine, speak to a healthcare professional rather than waiting to see whether it happens again.
This is an important question because some symptoms overlap.
Both UTIs and other urinary conditions can cause symptoms such as:
That overlap can make it difficult to know what’s happening based on symptoms alone.
A urine test and other investigations may be used to help determine the cause. Depending on the symptoms and medical history, further tests may be recommended.
The answer isn’t to assume that every UTI is cancer.
The answer is to understand the pattern and investigate persistent or concerning symptoms appropriately.
Not everyone with urinary symptoms needs every test. The appropriate investigation depends on the individual.
There isn’t a way to prevent every case of bladder cancer. However, some risk factors are known.
Smoking is an important risk factor for bladder cancer. Certain occupational exposures and other factors can also increase risk.
Your individual risk depends on your circumstances, medical history and other factors.
If you’re concerned about your risk, speak to a healthcare professional.
There is currently no standard screening test for bladder cancer in people at average risk who have no symptoms.
This makes awareness of symptoms particularly important.
The goal isn’t to make people fearful of every change in their urine. It’s to make sure concerning symptoms aren’t automatically dismissed.
Consider speaking to a healthcare professional if you experience:
If you are unable to urinate, have severe pain, significant bleeding, or feel acutely unwell, seek urgent medical care.
No. This is one of the most important things to understand.
Many symptoms associated with bladder cancer can also be caused by other conditions. Seeing a doctor does not mean that you have cancer.
It means you’re taking the step of finding out what is actually causing your symptoms. And that is the point of good healthcare: not fear, but understanding.
Urinary symptoms can be uncomfortable to talk about. Some people feel embarrassed. Others assume that what they’re experiencing is simply part of getting older. Some repeatedly treat the same symptoms without ever understanding why they keep coming back.
But you don’t have to ignore something simply because it is embarrassing. And you don’t have to assume the worst simply because something needs investigating.
The goal is to understand what’s happening and find the right path forward.
Africa Urology is a specialist practice founded by Dr. Viola Morolo, the first Black female urologist to graduate from the University of Pretoria.
Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. The urine may appear pink, red or rusty, although small amounts of blood may only be detected during testing. Blood in the urine can also have other causes, including urinary tract infections, kidney or bladder stones and other urinary conditions.
No. Blood in the urine does not automatically mean bladder cancer. It can occur with several other urinary conditions. However, even if it happens only once, it deserves appropriate assessment so that the cause can be understood.
Yes. UTIs and other urinary conditions can cause overlapping symptoms such as burning when urinating, urgency, frequent urination and changes in urinary habits. If symptoms keep returning or do not resolve as expected, further assessment may be appropriate.
Assessment may include a medical and family history, examination and a urine sample. Depending on the findings, additional investigations may be recommended.
One important investigation is cystoscopy, which allows a doctor to look inside the bladder and urethra. A biopsy may also be performed when necessary. Not everyone needs every test.
Stay informed on common urological conditions and symptoms
