Health5 min(s) read
Published 15:03 10 May 2026 GMT
A man was diagnosed with bladder cancer at age 39 after noticing one "key warning sign".
James "Jimi" Stewart was living an active lifestyle in Austin, Texas, when his life changed completely.
"You'd find me out rollerblading with friends, paddleboarding, tubing, and really soaking up everything the outdoors has to offer," the now 40-year-old told PEOPLE.
"My health really wasn't on my radar, though. I had been a smoker, but honestly, health concerns were not top of mind for me," he continued. "I was 39, active, and enjoying my life. I never expected anything like this to come my way."
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Stewart said he first realized something was wrong during what seemed like an ordinary day.
"I noticed blood in my urine. It was alarming, certainly, but I don't think I fully appreciated at the time just how significant that sign would turn out to be," he explained.
He later discovered that blood in urine is actually "one of the key warning signs" of bladder cancer.
"What began as one concerning symptom led to a shocking diagnosis - non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)," Stewart said, adding that he feels "grateful" he didn’t delay getting checked by doctors.
According to Mayo Clinic, the cancer usually starts in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder.
These same cells are also found in the kidneys and the ureters, which are the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder, although this type of cancer is far more commonly found in the bladder itself.
Common symptoms can include blood in the urine, frequent urination, painful urination, and back pain.
In some cases, urine may appear bright red or cola-colored, while at other times, blood may only be detected through laboratory testing.
Doctors recommend seeking medical attention if blood is noticed in urine or if any urinary symptoms become concerning.
The diagnosis came as a major shock to the 40-year-old.
"There's almost this disbelief that washes over you, like your brain can't fully process what it's being told. But that numbness didn't last long. It became very real, very fast," he recalled.
He admitted it felt even more surreal because of his age. "Bladder cancer is typically diagnosed in adults 55 and older, so being diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer at 39 added another layer to everything," he told the outlet.
"You're not supposed to be thinking about cancer at this point in your life. I was still building my future, thinking about relationships, staying active, and living fully," he added.
He also revealed that the possibility of bladder removal became a terrifying reality, adding: "I kept thinking about how drastically that could change the years ahead of me."
The recovery care technician supervisor initially underwent Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment, considered the standard first-line treatment for his form of bladder cancer. But the treatment failed to work.
Determined to avoid bladder removal surgery, Stewart said he explored every possible option with the support of his medical team.
"My team introduced me to INLEXZO, a new treatment advancement that was FDA-approved in September 2025," he explained.
Stewart became the first commercial patient in Texas to receive the treatment, which uses a drug-releasing system placed directly into the bladder by a urologist.
"Once it's in, I don't even feel it. And it works for me and my lifestyle," he said.
He revealed the treatment was made possible through financial support. "I was ultimately able to receive it at no cost through a patient assistance program called INLEXZO withMe. That was an incredible blessing, and it's something I really want others to know about,” he added.
Now approaching his eighth and final induction dose, Stewart says he has officially been declared cancer-free.
"My scans have come back clear, meaning no evidence of active cancer. Those are words I desperately wanted to hear, but I wasn't sure they would ever reach my ears. They still fill me up with both relief and gratitude," he said.
He will now continue treatment on a quarterly schedule for the next year and a half.
Although his treatment has been successful so far, Stewart stressed that recovery has not been easy, sharing: "As with any treatment, there have been some difficult moments. Bladder cancer symptoms, like frequent urination and UTIs, are challenging."
Still, he expressed gratitude to his medical support team for helping him through the process.
However, Stewart said the biggest message he wants people to take away from his story is the importance of early detection.
"Know the warning signs," he said. "Blood in urine is a key one, as well as overly frequent urination. Don't dismiss it. Advocate for yourself and get checked out early. Bladder cancer is not just an older person's disease, and the sooner it's caught, the more options you have."
He has also urged others to ask questions before agreeing to life-changing procedures.
"Explore all your options before accepting anything that's going to alter your life," he advised. "If you're facing bladder removal, ask your doctor whether you're a candidate for treatments like mine."
"INLEXZO has recently become even more accessible for qualifying patients and easier for medical practices to receive reimbursement, so if this treatment felt out of reach before, it may not be anymore. Please look into it," he concluded.
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