Blood in urine is the number 1 sign of bladder cancer, so if any of these colors make a splash in your bathroom, visit your doctor.

LOOK OUT
FOR BLOOD
IN YOUR URINE

This is the most common sign of bladder cancer, also known as hematuria.1,2 There are two main types of hematuria.3

The first one is called gross hematuria and it means you can see the blood with your naked eye. Your urine may appear red, orange, pink or brown.1,3 Blood may appear one day but then not reappear until days, weeks or months afterwards.1

The second is called microscopic hematuria.3 This means that the color of the urine is normal but small amounts of blood are found under a microscope.3 This is usually when a urine test (urinalysis) is done because of other symptoms or as part of a general medical check-up.1

Blood in urine (hematuria) is not bladder cancer in the majority of cases, but it’s important to see your doctor to rule it out.1

RISK FACTORS

Smoking

Smoking is the number one preventable cause of bladder cancer.2 If you smoke, you should still try to quit – smoking cessation can have many benefits.4

Increasing age

The risk of bladder cancer increases as you get older.5 Most bladder cancer diagnoses are in people older than 55.5

Being male

Men are 4 times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women.5

Exposure
to some chemicals

It’s thought that being around certain chemicals may increase the chance of bladder cancer.5 Chemicals connected to bladder cancer risk include arsenic and chemicals used in the manufacture of dyes, rubber, leather, textiles and paint products.5

Personal or family history of cancer

If you’ve had bladder cancer before, or if one of your blood relatives — a parent, sibling or child — has a history of bladder cancer, you may have an increased risk of the disease, although it’s rare for bladder cancer to run in families.5

FIND OUT MORE
ABOUT BLADDER
CANCER

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a replacement for your doctor’s advice. Blood in the urine doesn’t always mean you have bladder cancer, more often it’s caused by other things like an infection.1

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References

  1. American Cancer Society. Bladder Cancer Signs and Symptoms [Last Revised March 12, 2024].
    Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bladder-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html Accessed March 2025.
  2. Fight Bladder Cancer. What is bladder cancer?
    Available at: https://fightbladdercancer.co.uk/get-help/what-bladder-cancer Accessed March 2025.
  3. UpToDate. Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (Beyond the Basics). [Last Updated February 21, 2024].
    Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/blood-in-the-urine-hematuria-in-adults-beyond-the-basics/print Accessed March 2025.
  4. Caini S, et al. Prognostic Impact of Post-Diagnosis Smoking Cessation among Bladder Cancer Patients: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel).
    2022;14(16):4022. doi: 10.3390/cancers14164022.
  5. Mayo Clinic. Bladder Cancer.
    Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20356104 Accessed March 2025.