Common UTI symptom that could actually be cancer warning sign

A common symptom seen in urinary tract infection (UTI) sufferers could also be a warning sign for bladder cancer. Cancer Research figures say there are around 10,300 new cases of bladder cancer in the UK each year - that's more than one every hour.

The most 11th common cancer in the UK, bladder cancer is sometimes known as "silent" as it often doesn't present symptoms until it has progressed. The cancer occurs where a growth of abnormal tissues, a tumour, develops in the lining of the bladder.

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in your urine, which can also be the sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). And there are a number of other signs that also overlap with symptoms of a UTI.

The urgent and persistent need to use the loo and a razor sharp pain that won't go away is something many have experienced in their life. More than half of women and 10% of men will suffer a UTI at one point. And this means that it is easy to mistake this silent potential warning sign of bladder cancer, assuming the unpleasant pain is an infection instead, with the bigger issue going unnoticed.

Unfortunately, bladder cancer kills around half of sufferers, according to charity Action Bladder Cancer UK. But spotting the bladder symptom early and getting diagnosed as soon as possible can be life saving with a 80% survival rate if caught early enough.

Other symptoms include needing to urinate more frequently, needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual, and/or a burning sensation when passing urine - all symptoms that can also be signs of a UTI.

If bladder cancer reaches an advanced stage and has spread, symptoms may include:

• pelvic pain
• bone pain
• unintentional weight loss
• swelling of the legs

NHS guidance states you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have blood in your urine, even if you do not have any other symptoms, it's the first time it has happened, there's only a small amount of blood, or you're not sure if it's blood. Blood may be bright pink, red, or dark brown.

It's usually not caused by anything serious, and could be caused by - as stated above - a UTI, or other causes such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate, but it is important to get checked out.