Emerging research suggests that color vision deficiency, commonly called color blindness, may play an important role in how early bladder cancer is detected.
A recent study explored whether people with color vision deficiency experience different survival outcomes after a cancer diagnosis compared with those without the condition. The findings were particularly striking for bladder cancer.
Why noticing blood matters in bladder cancer
For bladder cancer, blood in the urine is typically an early symptom. In many cases, it appears without pain or other symptoms. Since there may be no other symptoms, seeing blood in the urine is often what prompts someone to seek medical care.
It may be difficult or impossible for people with color vision deficiency to recognize red or pink discoloration. As a result, blood in the urine may go unnoticed, delaying evaluation and diagnosis. This delay can allow the cancer more time to grow or become invasive before it is detected.
What the researchers studied
To conduct the study, researchers analyzed electronic health records from U.S. and international health systems. They compared survival outcomes in patients with bladder cancer who had documented color vision deficiency with patients who did not.
The study included 135 bladder cancer patients with color vision deficiency and compared them with similar patients without the condition.
What the study found
Analysis showed that bladder cancer patients with color vision deficiency had worse overall survival. Over a 20-year period, patients with color vision deficiency had a 52% higher risk of death from bladder cancer.
Researchers emphasize that these results don’t mean that color vision deficiency directly causes worse bladder cancer outcomes. They do, however, highlight an important and often overlooked issue. Visual differences may influence how quickly symptoms are recognized and acted on.
What this means for you
Sometimes, improving outcomes starts with simply seeing risk differently. This research encourages patients, caregivers, or clinicians to talk more openly about vision differences and symptom awareness.
If you or a loved one has color vision deficiency, being proactive about your bladder health is key. Regular urine testing at annual checkups can help catch changes that may not be visible at home. If you’re unsure whether you’d notice a change in urine color, it may also help to ask a trusted partner or loved one to occasionally take a look.
Navigating a bladder cancer diagnosis? Join our Outcomes4Me Community to meet and connect with other cancer patients who may share your experiences.
