May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to educate the public about bladder-related diseases, their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Why is awareness raising important?

Bladder health is associated with many problems, from infections to urinary incontinence and bladder cancer. Annually, bladder cancer alone is diagnosed in thousands of people worldwide, including in Georgia. Timely diagnosis and early recognition of symptoms have an important role in successful treatment.

Main symptoms that you should not be ignored:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Frequent urination or sudden strong urge to urinate
• Pain or burning during urination
• Pain in the lower abdomen

In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor on time and undergo appropriate examinations.

Risk- factors:

• Tobacco consumption (the most important risk factor for bladder cancer)
• Exposure to chemicals (such as industrial chemicals)
• Chronic bladder infections
• Age (risk increases after age 55)
• Gender — Bladder cancer is more common in men.

Bladder Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to remind ourselves and those around us of the importance of taking care of our health. There needs to be more education, more accessible information, and less stigma — especially around issues that are often uncomfortable to talk about.

Public health agencies, medical facilities, and the media can play an important role in drawing attention to this issue.