Stanford scientists say colorblindness may hide a deadly bladder cancer warning

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Source: ScienceDaily Health

Original: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260309225222.htm...

Published: Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:49:43 EDT

Stanford researchers analyzed millions of medical records and found that people with bladder cancer and color blindness have a 52% higher 20-year mortality rate than those with normal vision[1]. Color blindness makes it difficult to distinguish the color red, which complicates the detection of blood in the urine[1]. Blood in the urine is the most common early symptom of bladder cancer, which is usually painless in its early stages[1]. In patients with color blindness, the disease is diagnosed at a more advanced stage[1]. If the cancer is caught before it spreads outside the bladder, the five-year survival rate exceeds 70%[1]. When spreading to organs such as lungs, liver or bones, it drops to 9%[1]. The most common form of color blindness affects the perception of red and green colors[1][5].