Lifestyle

Blood in the Urine, Even Once and Without Pain, Can Be a Sign of Bladder Cancer. When to Get It Checked

By Erica Coleman · October 30, 2026

Pink or reddish urine one morning, followed by nothing unusual the next day, can be tempting to forget. Cancer experts say it should not be ignored.

The American Cancer Society says that most often, blood in the urine is the first sign of bladder cancer. There may be enough blood to turn urine orange, pink or, less often, dark red. The society notes that the blood might not show up every day. It can go away and then come back.

Early bladder cancer usually causes bleeding but little or no pain or other symptoms, according to the cancer society. That is why a single painless episode can be easy to dismiss.

Mayo Clinic calls blood in the urine, known as hematuria, the most common symptom of bladder cancer and says it often is an early warning sign. The blood may turn urine red or brown. Sometimes urine looks normal and the blood is found only with a urine test, which can happen during a routine checkup.

Blood is not the only sign. The cancer society and Mayo Clinic list changes in urination that can also appear.

Going more often. Needing to urinate more than usual is on both lists.

Urgency. The cancer society describes feeling as if you need to go right away, even when your bladder isn’t full.

Pain or burning. Both sources list pain or burning during urination.

Trouble going. The cancer society lists having trouble urinating or a weak stream, and getting up to go many times during the night.

When bladder cancer has grown large or spread, the cancer society says it can cause other problems, including being unable to urinate, lower back pain on one side, loss of appetite and weight loss, feeling tired or weak, swelling in the feet and bone pain.

Most of the time, the cause is something else. The cancer society says blood in the urine is more likely to come from an infection, a benign tumor, a stone in the kidney or bladder, or another noncancerous kidney disease. Urinary changes are more often caused by a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, an overactive bladder or, in men, an enlarged prostate. Even so, the cancer society says it is important to have these symptoms checked so the cause can be found.

Not all red urine is blood. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, says certain medicines, beets and other foods can turn urine red. It also says never to ignore blood you see in your urine and to contact a provider right away if you are passing blood clots, cannot urinate, or have fever, chills, vomiting, or pain in your belly, side or back.

Age is a major factor. The cancer society says about 9 out of 10 people with bladder cancer are older than 55, and the disease is more common in men than women. Smoking is a major risk factor. The society says people who smoke are at least three times as likely to get bladder cancer as people who don’t, and smoking causes about half of all bladder cancers. Mayo Clinic adds workplace exposure to some chemicals, including those used to make dyes, rubber, leather, textiles and paint products, and a personal or family history of bladder cancer.

Mayo Clinic advises seeing a health care professional for unexplained blood in the urine or urinary symptoms without a known cause. A doctor may first check for more common causes or refer you to a urologist. The clinic says most bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about any blood in your urine or changes in urination. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.