Bladder cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Canada, yet is relatively unknown to the public. Events are planned across Canada in May to promote awareness of #BladderCancer and BCC is calling on Canadians to #ShowYellow.
TORONTO (APRIL 25, 2016) – May marks Canada’s first Bladder Cancer Awareness Month to help shine the spotlight on a common but poorly understood cancer, affecting about 80,000 Canadians.
Bladder cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Canada – 4th for men and 12th for women. An estimated 8,300 Canadians will be newly diagnosed with bladder cancer this year. Bladder cancer is the most expensive cancer to treat on a per patient basis because of an 80% recurrence rate. Yet, at 20th out of the 24 most common cancers, research funding into this disease lags almost all other cancers.
“Awareness of bladder cancer is extremely low compared with other cancers,” says Tammy Northam, BCC Executive Director. “This lack of understanding can result in failure to recognize the early symptoms, leading to diagnosis at a later stage in the disease. Early diagnosis is critical because it results in better outcomes for patients.”
On May 14, BCC will celebrate Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in spectacular fashion. Toronto's CN Tower will be lit in yellow and red to support BCC’s “See Red? See Your Doctor.” Campaign.
More events are planned across the country and Canadians are invited to visit www.bladdercancercanada.org to find out how they can become involved. Bladder Cancer Canada is active on Facebook and Twitter and will be promoting and posting frequently with hashtags #BladderCancer and #ShowYellow through the month of May. May marks Bladder Cancer Awareness Month in several other countries, including the U.S. and the U.K.
BCC holds annual fundraising walks in about 20 cities across the country every September. Registration opens for the walks starting in May and BCC welcomes everyone who supports this important cause. More information at http://www.bccwalk.ca
