Why we need to act to address the bowel and bladder cancer emergency

The pandemic saw thousands of cancer patients miss their treatments due to the lockdown. Innovation and collaboration are key to helping clear the post-pandemic cancer backlog. Some estimates suggest over 40,000 fewer people received treatment for cancer from April 2020 compared to the previous year. Referrals via the two-week wait urgent pathway decreased 84%. Whilst...

Bladder problems: When is it time to see your GP?

If you have been struggling with bladder problems throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, don’t wait any longer. Now is the time to see your GP. Throughout the global pandemic, many people have kept their worrying urological symptoms to themselves. The changes to healthcare provision, such as virtual clinics, may also have made it seem more difficult...

Helping women feel free from worry of stress incontinence

In the UK alone, over 3 million women experience stress incontinence (aka little leaks). It affects everyone differently, but no matter your experience, it’s never easy. We want to empower more women to live life without worry. Stress incontinence happens when the pelvic floor muscles are weakened or damaged through pregnancy, obesity, or simply as...

Bowel cancer services face their toughest challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on bowel cancer services, with nearly 100,000 people in England alone waiting for crucial diagnosis tests. Over 42,000 people are diagnosed each year with bowel cancer. Yet, sadly around 16,500 people die from the disease each year, making it the second biggest cancer killer. But this shouldn’t...

Waiting until 60 to get tested for bowel cancer can be too late, warns doctor

Bowel cancer is the second biggest killer cancer in the UK, and doctors are urging people to get tested if they suspect something is wrong. But a bowel cancer expert at LetsGetChecked says people who don’t fit into the high risk category are often turned away by their GPs. “People who don’t fit the risk...

Bowel cancer: signs you must not ignore

People are ignoring bowel cancer symptoms because they’re too embarrassed to talk about their toilet habits, expert doctor, Dominic Rowley, has said. But over 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, and survival rates drop dramatically the later it is diagnosed. “Getting screening on a regular basis is so important, if caught early,...

“Finding out I had bowel cancer was the worst moment of my life”

Bower cancer is the second-biggest killer cancer in the UK, but so many people could have a better chance of survival if we find it early. “I’m so glad I found it early. I’m now cancer-free, but I shudder to think what could have happened if I’d found it later”, says Ted, 66. Take charge...

Expert explains why finding bowel cancer early could save your life

Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, and doctors are urging people to get tested if they suspect something is wrong. A bowel cancer expert at LetsGetChecked says people with symptoms don’t visit their GP because they’re too embarrassed to talk about their bowel movements. But nearly 42,000 people are diagnosed...

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Dr Alex: “I hate to trivialise the issue, but a prostate exam really isn’t a big deal”

From my experience as a doctor, there is an undeniable stigma surrounding certain health issues when it comes to the male population. Even the mere mention of a prostate examination sends most men into a silent panic, and for many, it is that fear that prevents them coming to see us doctors in the first...

How to keep your bladder healthy after having the Mitrofanoff surgery

Tips from the Mitrofanoff Support charity for keeping your bladder healthy after having the Mitrofanoff bladder diversion surgery. What is a Mitrofanoff? In 1976 Professor Paul Mitrofanoff created a procedure, now known as the Mitrofanoff, for people who were unable to empty their bladder in the usual way. The procedure creates a channel between the...

Urinary tract infection – are antibiotics always necessary?

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is very common, especially among females, and around half of all women will experience a UTI in their lifetime. Typical symptoms would include pain on passing urine, frequent urination and dark, cloudy or strong-smelling urine. Traditionally, UTI has almost always been treated with a course of antibiotics, but recent publicity surrounding...

My bladder’s not going to stop me!

There is a range of patients affected by issues relating to their bladders early in life. Some may be born with conditions – such as bladder exstrophy or posterior urethral valves – others may have neurological problems, such as spina bifida, which can affect the function of the bladder and bowel. Some may develop changes...

Incontinence and mental health are linked

Whether it’s celebrities talking or something you see on the TV, urinary incontinence is becoming more well-known. But that doesn’t mean we’re doing anything about it. For one in three women, urinary incontinence is something they will have to endure throughout their lives. Whether it was the outcome of pregnancy or the onset of menopause,...

BPH patients don’t have to suffer in silence

Minimally-invasive procedures could end the sub-optimal treatment being endured by men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been described as ‘practically inevitable’ in older men. According to the NHS, 40% of men over 50, and 75% of men in their 70s have urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, which forces...

The most common disease you’ve never heard of

Overactive bladder can completely ruin a life and it is more common than both diabetes and asthma, yet it’s almost never spoken about. It’s time we brought a stop to that. Here’s our guide. For the roughly eight million people in the UK who struggle with overactive bladder (OAB), it means that they find it...

Why you need to exercise your pelvic floor

Pelvic health refers to the function and wellbeing of the muscles, organs, nerves and connective tissues in the pelvic region. Many men and women are affected by pelvic health conditions. The majority of these conditions have a significant impact on quality of life due to pain and/or embarrassment. Why is pelvic health so important? Many...

Early diagnosis saves lives

Almost 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer annually.. Sadly, around 16,000 people die from the disease each year, making it the second biggest cancer killer. But this shouldn’t be the case. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. Early diagnosis is crucial to survival rates as nearly everyone will survive if...

Bowel cancer: what you need to know

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, but over half of cases are preventable – and thanks to research, more people are surviving the disease than ever before. But, isn’t getting cancer just a lottery? Though you might think cancer is all down to genes or just bad luck, there are...