Dr. Gary Steinberg: Why I Walk to End Bladder Cancer

January 28, 2020

Gary D. Steinberg, MD, is a leading national bladder cancer expert and is also the Ambassador for the New York City Walk to End Bladder Cancer that will take place on April 25, 2020.

Why does Dr. Steinberg walk to end bladder cancer?

“As a bladder cancer physician I have unfortunately seen bladder cancer affect many patients over the years. For men, it’s the 4th most common cancer.  For women, bladder cancer presents too late, and death rates are higher.

There are more  than 82,000 new cases and more than 17,000 deaths annually.   It is a life threatening disease with a recurrence rate between 50 and 80 percent.

All too often, patients will be treated for a presumed urinary tract infection after notifying their family physician about an episode of blood in their urine delaying the diagnosis and treatment significantly.

Though the cause of the disease is unknown in 50% of the patients it is related to cigarette smoking. Instead of gaining awareness like other forms of cancer, bladder cancer remains the “elephant in the room,” which nobody wants to discuss.

Patients often feel like they are alone in the battle against bladder cancer. They need to understand that they are not alone and that there is a large community of support available.

I want to promote bladder cancer awareness and hopefully find a cure.

I am making a commitment to take action in my community to represent the 600,000 people living with bladder cancer in the U.S, and support the 82,000 newly diagnosed this year.

I want to raise awareness and the needed funds for bladder cancer research, education and support programs – but most importantly saving lives.”