Blood in Your Urine: Could It Be Bladder Cancer?

Blood can turn your urine pink, red, or brown — and it can be quite a startling sight in the toilet water. It’s only natural that your mind starts teeming with possibilities, including worst-case scenarios like bladder cancer, when you notice blood in your urine, but the fact is that it’s rarely cancer. Many benign conditions can cause the same problem.

At Family Urology Associates in Frederick, Maryland, our practice founder, board-certified urologist Mohammed Haseebuddin, MD — Dr. Haseeb to our patients — offers expert guidance on urologic health. Dr. Haseeb understands how concerning blood in your urine can be, and our team is here to find its cause, help you understand your condition, and provide solutions.

Let’s dive into what this symptom could mean, why early evaluation matters, and what steps you can take to get an accurate diagnosis and peace of mind.

When there’s blood in your urine

Blood in the urine, or hematuria, usually shows up as a pinkish, reddish, or brownish shade. You may notice discolored water in the toilet bowl or spots of blood on toilet tissue. 

However, sometimes blood may not be visible in the urine. With microhematuria, the blood is only detectable with a urinalysis or by viewing it under a microscope. 

Understanding causes of hematuria

Hematuria is the most frequently observed symptom associated with bladder cancer. However, it’s important to know that there are many other, more likely, reasons you could find blood in your urine. Those include: 

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Kidney infection
• Kidney stones
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate)
• Physical trauma affecting the kidneys

Although these other conditions are more common causes of blood in the urine, this symptom can also indicate bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers. Regardless of the possible cause, blood in the urine points to a urinary tract problem that requires prompt evaluation and treatment. 

Hematuria evaluation

Dr. Haseeb and our team take a thorough approach, evaluating all potential causes to pinpoint what’s truly behind the blood in your urine. We generally perform a series of assessments to get a clear picture. 

The process may include a physical exam, urinalysis, imaging tests, and possibly a cystoscopy — a procedure in which Dr. Haseeb uses a small camera to examine your bladder’s interior. 

Getting a timely diagnosis can make a huge difference in treatment options and prognosis, so acting fast is crucial when you notice blood in your urine. Whether the issue turns out to be a benign condition or bladder cancer, knowing the cause can bring clarity, peace of mind, and an effective path forward.

Blood in your urine deserves attention and a clear answer. Call us today at 301-606-0551 or schedule an appointment online for high-quality, personalized care.