Colour Blindness Puts You At A Higher Risk Of Dying From This Cancer

Researchers from Stanford University looked at the survival rates of cancer patients who have colour vision deficiency (colour blindness) and found that people with the condition faced an increased risk of dying after a bladder cancer diagnosis. 

In an analysis of health records, they discovered that people with bladder cancer who are also colourblind have a 52% higher mortality rate over 20 years than people with bladder cancer and normal vision.

“I’m hopeful that this study raises some awareness, not only for patients with colorblindness, but for our colleagues who see these patients,” said Ehsan Rahimy, MD, adjunct clinical associate professor of ophthalmology and senior author of the study.

Why colour blindness puts you at a higher risk of dying from bladder cancer

In a statement on the Stanford University website, researchers say: “Recognising the sight of blood in urine, the most common first sign of bladder cancer, is often the impetus that leads people to a diagnosis.

“But for those with colour blindness, who usually have difficulty seeing red, that warning sign is more likely to go down the toilet unnoticed.”

According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 10,500 new bladder cancer cases in the UK every year and 49% of bladder cancer cases are preventable. It is most common in older people and is more common in men.

Additionally, the BBC reports that around three million people in the UK are colour blind, with the condition being far more common in men. Around 1 in 12 men are colour blind while 1 in 200 women are.

Rahimy says: “If you don’t trust yourself to know that there’s a change in the colour of your urine, it could be worth having a partner or somebody you live with periodically checking it for blood, just to make sure.”

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

While the main symptom of bladder cancer is blood in your urine, the NHS advises that other symptoms include:

• pain, burning, stinging or itching when you pee
• getting lots of urinary tract infections
• needing to pee more often
• needing to pee very suddenly
• losing your appetite and losing weight without trying to
• pain in your back and lower tummy
• aching, pain or tenderness in your bones
• feeling very tired for no reason and feeling generally unwell

Get in touch with your GP if you are concerned.