CULVER CITY, November 11, 2026 — A new national survey reveals that 63% of military service members and veterans with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer face severe systemic care barriers, with 53% diagnosed by age 50. The bottom line: these barriers are preventing early diagnosis and timely treatment for veterans under 50.
Barriers To Care
The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of ImmunityBio, found that the most common barriers to care were long waits for appointments or treatment, difficulty coordinating care between VA and non-VA providers, and challenges accessing treatment recommended by healthcare providers. By the numbers, 35% of respondents reported long waits, 27% reported difficulty coordinating care, and 49% reported challenges accessing recommended treatment. The figure that matters: 44% of respondents said it took a long time to begin treatment after diagnosis.
Environmental Risk Factors
Respondents also reported exposure to potential environmental risk factors, including burn pits and contaminated water. According to the survey, 31% of respondents reported exposure to burn pits and 54% reported exposure to contaminated water. Investors will note that these risk factors may contribute to the high annual rate of veteran diagnoses, with approximately 3,200 veterans diagnosed with bladder cancer each year.
Patient Trust And Gaps In Treatment Information
Despite these barriers, respondents expressed strong confidence in their care teams, with 90% reporting trust in their providers and 85% believing they were receiving the best possible care through the VA. However, there were gaps in treatment information, with 57% of respondents reporting they were very confident in understanding their diagnosis, but only 39% reporting they were very confident in understanding available treatment options. The gap between confidence in care teams and reported access barriers points to a need for clearer information about treatment options and care navigation.
Call For Enhanced Navigational Resources
Seventy-six percent of respondents wished there were more resources specifically designed to help veterans navigate non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treatment. This call for enhanced navigational resources highlights the need for improved support and guidance for veterans diagnosed with bladder cancer. As Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., Founder, Executive Chairman and Global Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of ImmunityBio, said, “We believe patients and their care teams need clear, accessible information about available treatments and resources so they can have informed conversations about care.” Talk to your doctor or oncologist.
Sources
- New U.S. Survey of Military Service Members and Veterans with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Reveals 53% Were Diagnosed at Age 50 or Younger and Barriers to Care
- Survey: Service members and veterans with NMIBC report barriers to treatment access | Urology Times
- New U.S. Survey of Military Service Members and Veterans with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Reveals 53% Were Diagnosed at Age 50 or Younger and Barriers to Care – ImmunityBio
- Survey finds 63% of military bladder cancer patients face treatment barriers
- New U.S. Survey of Military Service Members and Veterans with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Reveals 53% Were Diagnosed at Age 50 or Younger and Barriers to Care – AOL
Photo: Tim Kiser (CC BY-SA 4.0)
