A CAMPAIGN to spot the early signs of two kinds of cancer aims to save lives in Somerset.

Be Clear on Cancer comes as around 900 people in the county and in Devon and Cornwall are diagnosed with either bladder or kidney cancer every year, with around 420 people dying annually.

More than nine in 10 people survive at least a year if diagnosed at the earliest stage, but this drops to just one in three if diagnosed later.

Health bosses want to make people aware of the symptoms, such as visible blood in pee, when you should see your doctor without delay.

Yet research has found that 43% of people would wait until they saw blood in their pee at least a second time before they contacted their GP.

Professor Debra Lapthorne, Centre Director for the Devon, Cornwall and Somerset Public Health England Centre said: “This campaign encourages those who notice blood in their pee to go to their doctor straight away – bladder and kidney cancers are more treatable if they are found early.

“We are confident that together, we can increase awareness of the symptoms of these cancers and encourage those with symptoms to visit their doctor without delay.”

Dr Amelia Randle, clinical lead for cancer with Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Cases of kidney cancer have increased over the last 10 years and although survival rates have been improving, it has led to an increase in the number of people dying from the disease.

“We know that diagnosing cancer earlier increases the chance of successful treatment.

“It is important that the public are aware of the early signs to look out for, such as blood in pee, so they can get the help they need as early as possible by going to see their GP.

“This ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign has an important role to play in building on the hard work of GP and hospital staff in past campaigns and increasing symptom awareness of kidney cancer.”