HEALTH experts are urging people to go to their doctor immediately if they see blood in their urine.

About a thousand people in the North-East are diagnosed with either bladder or kidney cancer every year – with about 400 dying from these diseases annually.

While more than nine in 10 people in England survive bladder or kidney cancer for at least a year if diagnosed at the earliest stage, this drops to just one in three if diagnosed at a late stage.

To increase awareness a Public Health England Be Clear on Cancer campaign called Blood in Pee has been relaunched..

Claire Sullivan, a consultant in public health at Public Health England’s North-East Centre, said: “Visible blood in pee is a key symptom in many bladder and kidney cancers and anyone who notices it, even if it’s just the once, should see their doctor without delay.

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

“The earlier bladder and kidney cancers are diagnosed the higher the chance of survival, so being aware of the symptoms is crucial.”

Four Premier League football clubs - Liverpool, West Ham United, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion - have put their rivalry to one side to support the campaign. Their support will help reach men in particular, who are at greater risk of developing bladder and kidney cancers.

Professor Kevin Fenton is the national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, 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.”