Barnsley Clinical Commissioning group and Barnsley Council are urging people to visit their doctor if they notice any blood in their pee.

This advice comes as part of the national ‘be clear on cancer’ campaign which aims to raise awareness of blood in pee as a key symptom for both bladder and kidney cancers. This year the campaign asks people to look before they flush the toilet to make sure they notice if they spot any blood.

Bladder and kidney cancers are the seventh and eighth most commonly diagnosed cancers with people aged 50 and over at most at risk of getting the disease. However, the earlier the cancers are diagnosed. For those diagnosed at the earliest stage (stage one) the likelihood of surviving five years or more can be as high as 84 per cent for kidney cancer and 77 per cent for bladder cancer.

The ‘blood in pee’ campaign targets people aged 50 and over, the age group most at risk of bladder and kidney cancers.

Cllr Jim Andrews, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health, said: “In 2013, 83 people from Barnsley were diagnosed with bladder and kidney cancer, with 34 deaths of those diagnosed. It’s important that people know the signs and, if you notice blood in your pee, even if it’s ‘just the once’, tell your doctor straight away.”

Dr Nick Balac, local GP and Chair of NHS Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group said: “If you notice blood in your pee, even if it's just the once, tell your doctor. Chances are it's nothing serious, but you're not wasting anyone's time by getting it checked out. If you know anyone who has any of these symptoms, insist they see their doctor.”

People can find out more information by speaking to their doctor or by visiting the NHS choices website at www.nhs.uk/bloodinpee