Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the second commonest urological cancer after prostate cancer. Men are more commonly affected than women but overall around 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year.

The main risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking however certain occupations put people at risk of developing a bladder tumour.

To diagnose bladder cancer we undertake a number of investigations and these are often done in the haematuria clinic. The tests include an ultrasound scan of your kidneys and bladder, an inspection of the bladder with a flexible camera called a cystoscope, this is done under local anaesthetic.

If we find bladder cancer we will discuss this with you at the clinic and then we will treat this as outlined below.

Information and about us

To diagnose bladder cancer we undertake a number of investigations and these are often done in the haematuria clinic. The tests include an ultrasound scan of your kidneys and bladder, an inspection of the bladder with a flexible camera called a cystoscope, this is done under local anaesthetic.

If we find bladder cancer we will discuss this with you at the clinic and then we will treat this as outlined below.

Contact us

East

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

  • Main switchboard on 01392 411611
  • Secretary to Mr McGrath - 01392 406277
  • Secretary to Miss Waine - 01392 408478
  • Secretary to Mr Parsons - 01392 402733
  • Cancer Nurse Specialists - 01392 402747

 

North

North Devon District Hospital 

Main switchboard on 01271 322577

 

Where to find us

Meet the team

Whilst all the consultants in the department perform TURBT the consultants with a special interest in bladder cancer are:

  • Mr John McGrath
  • Miss Elizabeth Waine
  • Mr Brian Parsons

Our Cancer Nurse Specialist for bladder cancer is Mrs Karen Green

Services and treatments

You can find out more about the different types of treatment for Bladder cancer by visiting the NHS website. 

This includes:

  • TURBT: Transurethral resection of bladder tumour
  • BCG
  • Mitomycin C
  • Treatment for more advanced bladder cancer

One Stop Haematuria Clinic

If you have seen blood in your urine or if the GP has detected non-visible blood in your urine by testing it in the surgery then they will make a referral to this clinic. The clinic is designed to determine the cause of the blood in the urine.

The clinic will involve you being seen and assessed by a doctor, an ultrasound scan of the urinary system, under local anaesthetic a flexible camera will be used to inspect the lining of your bladder. The order of these tests varies but all are usually necessary.

Supporting you

Having cancer can have an impact on every aspect of your life and on those around you. We understand that this is a difficult and often frightening time for you and your loved ones, which is why we have put together a wide range of information to help you live with and beyond cancer.

Some of these services are available locally, whilst others cover Devon and/or the South West Peninsula as a whole. 

Find out more

Last updated: November 15, 2022.