The red flag signs of bladder and prostate cancer you need to know as F1 legend Eddie Jordan dies

ABOUT 55,000 new prostate cancer cases are recorded every year in the UK.

Bladder cancer is less common, with around 10,500 new cases.

4

4

For both types, cancer can start in one area of the body and spread as the disease develops.

Formula One legend Eddie Jordan had an "aggressive" form of prostate and bladder cancer, which had spread to his spine and pelvis.

He died aged 76 on March 20, 2025, with his family by his side.

It is not clear where his cancer originated, but there is growing evidence to suggest patients can have two primary cancers at once.

In one study by the State University of New York, the coincidence was as high as 70 per cent for prostate cancers in patients with bladder cancer, and 3.4 per cent for bladder cancers in those with prostate cancer.

Separate research published in the Journal of Urology found 25 per cent of patients with a bladder cancer diagnosis also had prostate cancer, and 3.8 per cent with prostate cancer also had bladder cancer.

Symptoms of both types are similar, but there are some distinct differences.

According to the NHS, the most common signs of bladder cancer include:

• Blood in your urine
• Needing to pee more frequently
• Sudden urges to urinate
• A burning sensation when you pee
• Pelvic or bone pain
• Weight loss
• Swollen legs

Prostate cancer doesn't usually cause any symptoms in the early stages, but as it progresses, it might cause:

• Needing to pee more frequently, often at night
• Rushing to the toilet
• Difficulty in starting to pee
• Straining or taking a long time to pee
• A weak flow
• Blood in your urine or semen
• Back or bone pain
• Tiredness
• A loss of appetite
• Weight loss

If you notice anything unusual, speak to your GP.

The earlier you are diagnosed, the better your chances of survival, Cancer Research UK says.

Speaking on his Formula For Success podcast, Jordan said: "This is a little message for all the anchors and everybody listening to this: don't wait or put it off.

"Go and get tested, because in life you've got chances and there is so much medical advice out there and so many things that you can do to extend your lifetime.

"Go and do it. Don't be stupid, don't be shy. It's not a shy thing - look after your body, guys.

"We'll move on, but yes, some very dark days in there – but we pulled out of it, thankfully."

4

Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50, and your risk increases as you get older.

It is also more common in black men than white men, and it is least common in Asian men.

If you're worried about your risk, you can ask your GP about having PSA blood test.

These aren't offered routinely, but measure the amount of PSA in your blood and assess your risk of an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer, followed by exposure to industrial chemicals and manufacturing jobs.

Almost all patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in the earliest stages live for five or more years.

This drops to 95 per cent for stage 3 patients, and 50 per cent for those with stage 4 cancer, which has spread to nearby organs, lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

For bladder cancer, about 80 per cent of people survive their cancer for five years or more after a stage 1 diagnosis.

This falls to 45 per cent at stage 2, 40 per cent for stage 3, and 10 per cent for stage 4.

Treatment for both will depend on several factors, such as how big the cancer is, whether it has spread anywhere else in your body, and your general health. 

But it can involve surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy.

4