OVER 50s are being urged to seek medical help if they notice blood in their urine with Warrington having a ‘significantly higher’ mortality rate for bladder cancer compared to the national average.

The number of cases of bladder cancer in the town are small, but Warrington Borough Council says the mortality rate is ‘significantly higher’ when compared to the north west and England.

In the three-year period from 2011 to 2013 there were 73 deaths in Warrington as a result of bladder cancer and a steep increase in the rate of men who died from the disease.

More than 90 per cent of bladder and kidney cancer diagnoses are in men and women over the age of 50, and Warrington Borough Council and Warrington NHS Clinical Commissioning Group are urging them to go to their doctor if they notice blood in their urine.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin said: “The message is simple – if you notice your blood in your pee, even if it’s just once, you really need to tell your doctor.

“The earlier cancer is detected, the better your chance of survival.

“If kidney and bladder cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage, one-year survival can be as high as 97 per cent.”

Be Clear on Cancer’s Blood in Pee campaign runs throughout March, and aims to raise awareness that the problem is a key symptom of bladder and kidney cancer.

Dr Sue Burke, Warrington NHS CCG’s clinical lead for cancer, said: “The Be Clear on Cancer campaigns are hugely important in raising awareness of common symptoms of cancer.

“Blood loss from anywhere unexpected is significant – blood in pee is something which should not be ignored, even if it only happens once.

“Cancers caught early have the best outcomes – more people survive or live with cancer than die from it so please do not ignore important warnings get checked.”