A WOMAN is holding a DJ event to raise awareness of bladder cancer after her best friend was diagnosed with the condition.

After suffering with a number of symptoms that were linked to urinary tract infections (UTIs), Abbie was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this year.

Since her diagnosis of grade three carcinoma in situ, the 27-year-old has made it her mission to raise awareness of the symptoms around bladder cancer.

This is especially due to the rarity of someone of her age being diagnosed with it as most new cases are diagnosed in those aged 60 and above.

READ MORE > 27-year-old diagnosed with bladder cancer after months of pain and doctor visits

Abbie’s loved ones have rallied around her to help her raise awareness, including her best friend of 20 years Cait Homes.

Cait, who is a DJ and producer, has organised a DJ event to not only raise awareness of bladder cancer, but also to fundraise for Bladder Cancer UK.

Warrington Guardian: Abbie and Cait

The event, which will be hosted by Hideout on Sankey Street, will see DJs from around the world play for free.

“I organised the event as me and Abbie have been best friends since we were seven and we’ve been inseparable since we met, from dancing together when we were younger, to high school, to our adult life,” said Cait, who has been DJing for four years.

“I wanted to use my platform to support Abbie and to raise awareness of bladder cancer in young females.

“I love using my platform to help others, I run Help the Homeless by organising my own project every year at Christmas.

“And now that this has strongly affected me, I feel like it is my mission to raise awareness of something so close to my heart.”

The event at Hideout will take place on May 26 which is Bank Holiday Sunday and which is the same day that Abbie’s friends are taking part in a 10k fundraising run.

Anyone is free to attend the event, with tickets costing £5 and all proceeds going to Bladder Cancer UK.

For more information, visit @Cait.music on Instagram.

DJ’s on the night include:

  • CAIT
  • Emma Forster
  • Charlie Rice
  • Nay Barr
  • No End
  • Wake

Symptoms

Blood in your urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer.

The medical name for blood in your urine is haematuria and it's usually painless. You may notice streaks of blood in your urine or the blood may turn your urine brown. The blood isn't always noticeable and it may come and go.

Less common symptoms of bladder cancer include:

  • a need to urinate on a more frequent basis
  • sudden urges to urinate
  • a burning sensation when passing urine
  • If bladder cancer reaches an advanced stage and has spread, symptoms can include:
  • pelvic pain
  • bone pain
  • unintentional weight loss
  • swelling of the legs

When to seek medical advice

If you have blood in your urine – even if it comes and goes – you should visit your GP, so the cause can be investigated.

Having blood in your urine doesn't mean you definitely have bladder cancer. There are other, more common, causes including:

  • a urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as cystitis
  • a kidney infection
  • kidney stones
  • non-gonococcal urethritis
  • an enlarged prostate gland, in men