Common vision issue could lead to missed cancer warning, study finds
Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, a professor in NYU Langone’s Department of Ophthalmology, said the inability to recognize the color red in this scenario is a “real risk.”
“The patient, family and medical doctor should be made aware of this potential gap in diagnosis,” Lazzaro, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “It is important to raise awareness of potential issues in making the diagnosis of bladder or kidney cancer in colorblind individuals.”
A graphic to test colorblindness is shown. Red-green colorblindness is the most common form. (iStock)
“My guess is that many doctors may not be looking closely enough at the medical record to pick up on this eye problem, leading to delays in diagnosis as the patient may not be able to see the issue,” he added.
While the issue may not be completely avoidable, Lazzaro suggested that it could be prevented if colorblind patients are aware of the risk and inform their doctors of their vision limitation.
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Dr. Don Railsback, optometrist and CEO of Vision Care Direct in Kansas, agreed that people with known CVD and their clinicians should “pay close attention.”
“This is the kind of small detail in a medical history that can change how we counsel patients on the symptoms they should never ignore,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“The takeaway is simple: Don’t rely on color alone to detect a problem. Bladder cancer can present as painless bleeding, and if you ever suspect blood in your urine, you should alert your doctor.”
One doctor said this study is a reminder to tailor health guidance to “real-world differences” that are often seen as “small details.” (iStock)
Railsback, who was not part of the research, added that if the color of urine looks “off” — for example, is tea-colored or unusually dark — the patient should be checked “promptly.”
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“This study is a strong reminder to tailor health guidance to real-world differences and variations, including color vision,” he said.
For colorblind individuals, Railsback recommends asking their primary care physician for a urine test at annual visits. If something seems unusual, they should ask a spouse or partner.
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“Colorblindness doesn’t cause bladder cancer, but it may make the earliest warning sign easier to miss,” he said. “The fix is awareness and simple testing, not fear.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/common-vision-issue-could-lead-missed-cancer-warning-study-finds