Doctors, nurses and clinicians from across Hertfordshire have added their backing to the national ‘Be Clear on Cancer - Blood in Pee’ campaign.

The initiative, which is being led by Public Health England and targets both men and women, looks to raise awareness of bladder or kidney cancer.

Blood in your pee is a key symptom of both types of cancer. Other bladder cancer symptoms include needing to pee very often or very suddenly, and pain while peeing.

Other kidney cancer symptoms include a pain below the ribs that doesn’t go away or a lump in your stomach.

Dr Mike Van der Watt, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust's medical director, said: "If there is blood in your pee, see your GP. Seeing your GP could save your life.

"You are not wasting anyone’s time by getting your symptoms checked out and if it’s not serious, your mind will be put at rest. But if it is a condition such as kidney or bladder cancer, early diagnosis makes it easier to treat.

"Having these symptoms doesn’t mean it is cancer. Most cases will turn out to be nothing other than an easily treatable infection or kidney or bladder stones. But don’t try to diagnose yourself - go and see your doctor and find out for sure."

Both cancers affect men and women, although they are more common in men.

Most people diagnosed with bladder and kidney cancers are over 50 and smokers also have a much higher risk of bladder and kidney cancer.

For more information about the campaign, visit www.nhs.uk/bloodinpee or follow @BeClearonCancer on Twitter.