MORE Bradford residents could survive bladder and kidney cancer if the illnesses could be diagnosed early enough, new statistics suggest.

Figures out today show that more than 200 people a year in the city are diagnosed with the conditions each year, with around 75 people dying as a result.

However, medics say that nine out of ten people in this country survive either of the two diseases for at least a year if diagnosed at the earliest stage.

That drops to only one in three when diagnosis is made at a late stage, however.

Today, a Be Clear on Cancer campaign has been launched to help people identify the symptoms and to stress the potentially life-saving importance of getting medical attention as soon as possible.

The most obvious symptom, which can indicate cancer of either the bladder or kidney is visible blood in urine.

Doctors stress it is important to contact a doctor if that happens, even only once. Research shows 43 per cent of people would wait for it to happen a second time before contacting their GP, however.

Full statistics for Bradford show 149 men and 62 women were diagnosed with those diseases in 2012, with 52 male and 22 female patients dying that year.

Greg Fell, Consultant in Public Health for Bradford Council said: “Early diagnosis can make a real difference to survival rates when it comes to kidney and bladder cancer.

"Waiting a few days to see if it happens again and worrying about it isn’t going to help find out if there is anything wrong.

"Getting checked out as soon as you notice blood in your pee is the only way of putting your mind at rest or getting treatment early.“

A high profile victim of kidney cancer is broadcaster James Whale, now Chairman of the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer.

He said: "Like many kidney cancer patients, I had not been aware of any major symptoms until I noticed blood in my pee.

"I told my wife and she suggested that I visit the doctor but I put it off for a while. A short time later I received my diagnosis and, following an operation to remove my left kidney, I was in recovery.

"I regret not going to my GP as soon as I spotted blood in my pee but this campaign will hopefully encourage others to see their doctor without delay. The earlier kidney cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the better your chance of survival."

Other bladder cancer symptoms include needing to pee very often, or very suddenly and experiencing pain.

Kidney cancer symptoms can also include a pain below the ribs which doesn't go away and a lump in the stomach.