If your doctor thinks you may have bladder cancer, you will need some tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Learn more about:
General tests
The first tests you have may be an internal examination and blood and urine tests. Sometimes you won’t need an internal examination until after bladder cancer has been diagnosed.
Internal examination
As the bladder is close to the rectum and vagina, your doctor may do an internal examination by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum or vagina to feel for anything unusual. Some people find this test embarrassing or uncomfortable, but it takes less than a minute.
Blood and urine tests
Your doctor may take blood samples to check your overall health. You will also be asked for a urine sample, which will be checked for blood and bacteria (called urinalysis). If you have blood in your urine, you may need to collect samples of your urine over 3 days. These samples will be checked for cancer cells (called urine cytology).
→ READ MORE: Tests to find cancer in the bladder
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Prof Manish Patel, Urological Cancer and Robotic Surgeon, Westmead Hospital, Macquarie University Hospital, and The University of Sydney, NSW. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: Donna Clifford, Urology Nurse Practitioner, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Marc Diocera, Genitourinary Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Renee Finnigan, Radiation Oncologist, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Lisa Hann, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Andrew Hirschhorn, Director of Allied Health and MQ Health Academy, MQ Health, Macquarie University, NSW; Anne Marie Lyons, Stomal Therapy Nurse, Concord Hospital and NSW Stoma Limited, NSW; John McDonald, Consumer; Prof Manish Patel (see above); Dr Jason Paterdis, Urological Surgeon, Brisbane Urology Clinic, QLD; Dr Prassannah Satasivam, Urologist and Robotic Surgeon, Epworth Hospitals and Cabrini Hospitals, VIC Graeme Sissing, Consumer; Prof Martin Stockler, Medical Oncologist, The University of Sydney, Concord Cancer Centre, and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse RPA, NSW.
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