Colorblindness, a condition that mostly affects men, could be linked to a higher mortality risk in bladder cancer cases, a new study suggests.

About 8% of men are estimated to have a form of color vision deficiency (CVD), compared to 0.5% of women, according to global statistics.

The condition, in which patients see and identify color differently, could cause people to miss blood in their urine, which is a vital sign of bladder cancer.

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Blood in the urine is the most common first sign of the disease and is often the impetus that leads to diagnosis, according to researchers at Stanford Medicine.

Those with colorblindness usually have difficulty seeing the colors red and green, which can present “everyday challenges.”

In the latest study, published in the journal Nature Health, researchers analyzed health records and found that bladder cancer patients who are also colorblind have a 52% higher mortality rate over 20 years than those patients with normal vision.

Since colorblind people fail to recognize blood in their urine, they may be delayed in seeking care, which can lead to worse outcomes, the findings suggest. Bladder cancer is about four times more common among men than women.

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Senior study author Ehsan Rahimy, M.D., adjunct clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at Stanford Medicine, commented in a press release that he’s “hopeful this study raises some awareness, not only for patients with colorblindness, but for our colleagues who see these patients.”

“Colorblindness doesn’t cause bladder cancer, but it may make the earliest warning sign easier to miss.”

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.”

“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.”

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.

Peptide therapy has gained popularity as a potential health and longevity booster, but experts are warning of cautions and limitations.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers involved in processes like metabolism, growth and immune function, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Some peptides have shown potential in helping with skin health, metabolism, muscle recovery and immunity, although research is limited, experts say.

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“‘Peptides’ is a broad umbrella that includes everything from well-studied, FDA-approved therapies to experimental compounds marketed for anti-aging with limited human data,” Dr. Brad Younggren, a board-certified physician and CEO and co-founder of Circulate Health in Seattle, Washington, told Fox News Digital.

Injectable GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drugs are a common form of peptides, he noted.

“Most people now more widely understand the positive impact this peptide can have on human healthspan,” Younggren said. “Peptides have broad targets across human physiology, and each one must be explored independently.”

Other common types of peptides help with growth hormone production, healing and tissue repair, skin and hair health, immune regulation, and cardiovascular and blood pressure regulation.

Are peptides the fountain of youth?

Despite some claims of peptides extending lifespan, Younggren cautioned that no longevity therapy or treatment should be considered a “fountain of youth.”

“The science is promising in specific areas, but the category as a whole is not a single, proven longevity solution,” he said. “Peptides may be useful tools in select clinical contexts, but claims of universal rejuvenation are ahead of the evidence.”

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Ben Perez, the biomedical technology specialist at Pure Tested Peptides in Pennsylvania, noted that some people have seen benefits in recovery, immunity and tissue repair, while others have reported positive outcomes related to sleep, lean body mass and recovery time.

However, while peptides show promise, he said some suggested results may be “overly optimistic.”

“Some are anti-aging related and assist with cellular repair, release of growth hormones and metabolic functions,” Perez, who oversees quality control of research peptides, told Fox News Digital. “However, the results can be inconsistent, and the assertions are usually greater than the supportive research.”

Side effects

Each type of peptide can be associated with its own potential side effects, experts say.

Growth hormone–related therapies, particularly those that act on the growth hormone (GH)–IGF-1 axis, can affect multiple hormone pathways and carry risks such as fluid retention, insulin resistance, headaches and joint symptoms, as well as changes in blood pressure or lipid levels, according to Dr. Anant Vinjamoori, M.D., a Harvard-trained physician and chief longevity officer at Superpower.

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“The pathways in the study of peptides are complex and can lead to imbalances in the hormones of the body,” Perez said. “Other negative outcomes can be localized inflammation at the injection site and other reactions.”

“Endocrine disorders, autoimmune disorders and history of cancer are further reasons to be more careful.”

“Selling unproven, miracle-promising or supplement-peddling products with little accountability or third-party testing is a dangerous red flag.”

The most reliable way to receive peptide therapy is through injection, according to Vinjamoori, as some oral forms can be “under-absorbed” or may rely on added ingredients that can cause side effects.

“‘Safe’ is less about the route and more about the molecule, dose, purity and monitoring,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Most peptides have an extremely strong track safety record based on the data we do have — but there is still much that we do not know.”

Approval and regulation

Some peptides are FDA-approved for specific conditions, including GLP-1s and growth-hormone stimulators. These may be prescribed off-label in some contexts, although risks and benefits vary and evidence may be limited, according to experts.

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There are also some peptides that are not FDA-approved. “Many ‘fitness’ peptides discussed online are in early clinical phases or used only in research settings,” Vinjamoori noted.

Perez warned that peptides have little to no regulation in many countries, which means online vendors may sell fake, poor-quality or dangerous products. 

“Selling unproven, miracle-promising or supplement-peddling products with little accountability or third-party testing is a dangerous red flag,” he said.

Starting safely

For those considering peptides, Vinjamoori recommends watching out for the following red flags.

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• Sourcing issues: Non-pharmacy “research chemicals,” lack of third-party testing or unclear labeling
• Overblown claims: Promises of rapid muscle gain or fat loss with no training changes
• Too many compounds: Stacking multiple substances without clear targets or bloodwork
• Lack of oversight: No clinician, baseline labs, or plan for cycling or stopping

“The most effective longevity care is proactive, personalized, and grounded in biomarkers and scientific evidence,” Younggren added. “It should be approached as a combination of lifestyle measures that contribute to better healthspan.”

Perez emphasized the importance of starting conservatively. “Understand the science, know the source and get medical guidance,” he advised. “Peptide therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s nuanced and still evolving.”

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While peptides may address issues that fall outside the reach of conventional medicine, Perez said, the supporting clinical data is still being developed.

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“Excessive use can lead to a decrease in their therapeutic effects and may cause adverse reactions, so more is not necessarily better,” he cautioned.

Anyone interested in peptides should consult with a physician to ensure that they receive a safe product and that it is used appropriately.

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