How common is blood in urine in bladder cancer?

A bladder growth may bleed into the urine, sometimes without pain. Urine can appear pink, red, rusty, or brown, and the bleeding can stop and return. Urinary infection, stones, kidney disease, injury, and some medicines are among other possible explanations. Because there is no reliable way to identify the cause from urine colour or discomfort alone, visible blood should be investigated.

Contact a clinician promptly if you see blood in your urine, including a single episode that has cleared. They may ask about urinary burning, urgency, frequency, pain, clots, smoking history, and medicines. Urine testing may be followed by imaging or a camera examination of the bladder, depending on your situation. Take a current medicine list and report prior urinary problems.

Get urgent medical help if you are unable to pass urine, have severe lower abdominal or side pain, large clots, fever with chills, heavy continuing bleeding, dizziness, or fainting. These signs may need immediate treatment for a blockage, infection, or substantial bleeding. Do not wait for a routine appointment if you are becoming rapidly unwell.

Ask what tests will look for the source of bleeding, whether you need referral to a urinary specialist, and when you can expect results. Mention blood-thinning medicines, previous pelvic treatment, recurrent infections, stones, and any earlier episodes of blood in urine.