Finding blood in your urine, known as haematuria, may be a sign of bladder cancer.

Eighty per cent of bladder cancer patients have reported finding blood in their urine, according to Cancer Research UK.

The blood can make the urine turn a bright red colour, although on rare occasions, it can turn a dark brown.

If you find blood in your urine just once, you should see your GP, the charity urged.

“Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer,” said Cancer Research UK.

“Sometimes the blood is there in such small amounts that you can't see it. But a urine test will still show if blood is present.

“The bleeding is not usually painful. But it can help your doctor to know whether you had any pain when you passed the urine with the blood in it. Do tell them if you had.”

It could also help to tell the GP whether there is blood only when you start to urinate, or whether it’s mixed for the duration.

Finding blood in your urine, however, is not usually a sign of anything life-threatening, the NHS said.

It’s often a sign of a urinary tract infection, including cystitis.

Other common causes of haematuria are a kidney infection, kidney stones, urethritis, or an enlarged prostate.

But, it could also be a symptom of bladder, kidney and prostate cancers.

Bladder cancer may be caused by exposure to harmful substances - that includes tobacco smoke, or some chemicals used in manufacturing.

Symptoms of the disease - other than finding blood in urine - include urinating more often than normal, sudden urges to urinate, and a burning sensation when urinating.

If bladder cancer reaches and advanced stage, it can begin to spread to other areas of the body.

Pelvic pain, bone pain, unintentional weight loss and swollen legs could all be signs of advanced bladder cancer.