We’ve sprung Spring news a bit early this year, specifically to alert all medical professionals to register for the upcoming UroGP Symposium this weekend, Saturday 23rd August, at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Learn everything new about Urology in General Practice. Earn CDP Points.
Learn All About Urology in General Practice (UroGP)
Meet with up to 400 other GP and urology specialists in a full day symposium to expand your knowledge and referral and treatment approaches on a range of complex urological health issues that you’re likely to confront in your general practice. Be updated on the the latest cost-effective treatments available via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Also hear about the latest innovations and solutions on offer to your patients.
WIN THIS GUITAR AT UroGP
This mini travel guitar, has an incredible warm sound, for a baby instrument. It comes with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides.
This mini travel guitar, has an incredible warm sound, for a baby instrument. It comes with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides.
The selected rosewood fingerboard, and the Italian semi-gloss finish leaves the guitar timbers free to express their own voice.
Built in pickup, EQ & tuner and a carry bag, make this a great traveller instrument. A guitar for the more demanding musician looking for a pure sounding portable instrument, equally at home in the lounge room or on stage. But also an excellent quality guitar for young students searching for their own inspiration.
Just come by our booth to enter. Drawn at afternoon tea.
MEDIA RELEASE: PROFESSOR URGES AUSTRALIANS NOT TO IGNORE KEY SYMPTOMS OF BLADDER CANCER
BladderCancer.org.au have a Media Release about Deoin Sanders, the two-time US NFL champ who has gone public with his bladder cancer surgery.
Download the PDF if you wish to spread the story:
SUPERBOWL CHAMP GOES PUBLIC ABOUT BLADDER CANCER TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND ACTION
The name Deion Sanders might not ring a bell for most Australians, if any, but it does for many, or maybe even most, Americans. Deion Sanders, 57, is well known to them because he is a beloved two-time NFL Super Bowl champion, and now football coach at the University of Colorado… and he has just had a neobladder constructed after the removal of his aggressive cancer-ridden bladder. Instead of concealing this from his fans and the community Deion decided to go public.
He said “…I know that there are a lot of people out there going through what I’m going through and dealing with what I’m dealing with … and let’s stop being ashamed about it. Let’s deal with it head on.” (NPR, 1st August, 2025).
Sanders strongly urged everybody, especially reluctant men, to have themselves checked out regularly. His cancer was not detected through the common early warning sign of blood in the urine, but rather through an annual routine check-up. He believes that the early detection and the skill and care of his medical team saved his life. He wants others to know about his cancer journey so that they will take the necessary action of observing their urine and having regular check-ups.
Sanders’ medical team performed a full robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder removal and neobladder creation. Neobladders are generally constructed from the person’s own small intestine to which the body readily adapts. However, there are challenges. As Saunders said, “It’s a whole life change, I can’t pee like I used to pee” (UCHealth Today, August, 2025). Saunders faced these post-op challenges by having additional porta potties installed on football grounds and readily having Depends on hand.
In the end, Sanders’ strongest message to the community is to stay positive, check your own health daily, and get regular medical check-ups.
A FEW FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO HAD/HAVE BLADDER CANCER
Frank Sinatra, renowned singer and actor, died of a heart attack at 79 in 1998 but had bladder cancer in his later years.
Phil Lesh, bassist with the legendary group The Grateful Dead. Diagnosed in 2015 with bladder cancer. Died in 2024 aged 84, but cause of death uncertain.
US Vice-President Hubert Humphrey. Served under President Lyndon Johnson from 1965-1969. Died of advanced bladder cancer in 1978, aged 66.
William Rosenberg, founder of Dunkin’ Donuts, died of bladder cancer in 2002, aged 86.
Telly Savalas, Greek-American actor. Died in 1994, aged 72 of prostate and bladder cancer.
John Daly, PGA champion golfer, aged 59. Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020.
RED SOCKS RUN – KIDNEY HEALTH – STEPHEN CURRY
In our own backyard, actor Stephen Curry has been on radio and TV this month, promoting awareness of Kidney disease and their October fundraiser – Red Socks Run.
Stephen’s close friend Lesley was diagnosed with kidney disease when she was 29 years old and has been on dialysis for almost 11 years while she waits for a transplant.
It’s great to see Australian celebs get behind those diseases with high incidence, but low public awareness.
AUSTRALIAN CELEBRITIES SPEAK OUT ABOUT CANCER
A number of other Australians have also drawn attention to their own or their friends’ cancer experience. Using their celebrity status to highlight the effects of cancer and the need for early detection, has, no doubt, had an impact on many Australians. The most recent person to speak out is Magda Szubanski, beloved comedienne and actress, especially in Kath and Kim, who we saw at the Logies last month, with bald head, suffering from mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Delta Goodrem, singer, also raises money for research and visits patients in hospital. Read more…
UPDATED PATIENT SUPPORT MATERIALS
We recently released the 5th Edition of our world-famous Bladder Cancer Patient Guidebook, with info on all the latest treatments. We also updated all our patient procedure sheets. Free to download from our site or contact us if you’d like hard copies: contact@bladdercancer.org.au
PLEASE CONTRIBUTE.
WE GET NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Donations to Bladder Cancer Australia Charity Foundation are tax deductible in Australia.
Registered Charity ABN 59119773067