'Red Balloon' Found in Subway Restroom... "Pain-Free Hematuria Could Be an Early Symptom of Bladder Cancer"

The Korean Society of Urologic Oncology and the Toilet Culture Citizens' Coalition
National Campaign to Raise Public Awareness of Bladder Cancer

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The Korean Society of Urologic Oncology announced on the 13th that the 'Red Balloon Campaign,' planned and collaborated with the Toilet Culture Citizens' Coalition to raise public awareness of bladder cancer, will begin in public restrooms at 275 subway stations in Seoul.

The Red Balloon Campaign was designed to raise awareness of 'painless hematuria,' which can be an early symptom of bladder cancer, in restrooms where urination actually occurs. As part of the campaign, red balloon symbol stickers that attach to men's urinals and disease information stickers placed at eye level were produced.

The red balloon symbol sticker is a temperature-sensitive color-changing sticker that causes the red balloon to disappear when it comes into contact with urine. This increases users' attention to the campaign while naturally guiding them to urinate toward the symbol sticker, incorporating a 'Nudge effect' to encourage cleanliness in restrooms.

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is painless hematuria. About 85% of bladder cancer patients are known to experience hematuria, where blood is mixed in the urine, and the probability of bladder cancer is higher when hematuria is visible to the naked eye. In particular, the risk of bladder cancer increases with age and smoking history, and men have a bladder cancer incidence rate about four times higher than women.

Hematuria is an important sign indicating abnormalities in the urinary system, including bladder cancer. If hematuria is detected, one should visit a urology department to undergo tests to determine the exact cause of hematuria. Since age is a major risk factor for bladder cancer, adults over 40 years old need to regularly check for microscopic hematuria through urine tests even if hematuria is not visible to the naked eye.

Kim Sun-il, president of the Korean Society of Urologic Oncology and professor of urology at Ajou University Hospital, stated, "The number of patients newly diagnosed with bladder cancer in Korea has steadily increased, rising about 54% over the past 15 years. Bladder cancer has a high survival rate if diagnosed and treated early, but survival rates drop significantly if detected at an advanced stage. Therefore, it is important to consult with a urology specialist and undergo diagnosis to identify the exact cause when symptoms that may suggest bladder cancer, such as painless hematuria, appear."