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Objectives: To describe the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients in a prospective 12‐month observational cohort study of new bladder cancer diagnoses and compare with national cancer and general population surveys. Patients and Methods: A prospective UK study in patients with new bladder cancer diagnoses at 13 NHS Trusts. The HRQoL data were collected at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Questionnaires used included: the EuroQoL five Dimensions (EQ‐5D), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)‐30‐item core, EORTC QLQ‐24‐item non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer, and EORTC QLQ‐30‐item muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. Results were compared with the Cancer Quality of Life Survey and Health Survey for England. Results: A total of 349 patients were recruited, 296 (85%) completed the first (baseline) and 233 (67%) the final survey. The patients underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) ± intravesical therapy (238 patients, 80%), radical cystectomy/radiotherapy (51, 17%) or palliation (seven, 2%). At baseline, patients needing radical treatment reported worse HRQoL including lower social function (74.2 vs 83.8, P = 0.002), increased fatigue (31.5 vs 26.1, P = 0.03) and more future worries (39.2 vs 29.4, P = 0.005) than patients who underwent TURBT. Post‐treatment surveys showed no change/improvements for patients who underwent TURBT but deterioration for the radically treated cohort. At final survey, reports were similar to baseline, regardless of treatment. Radically treated patients continued to report poorer HRQoL including issues with body image (23.4 vs 12.5, P = 0.007) and male sexual function (75.8 vs 40.4, P < 0.001) compared to those who underwent TURBT. Radically treated patients reported lower EQ‐5D utility scores and more problems with usual activities than the general population. Discussion: Patients undergoing TURBT can be reassured regarding HRQoL following treatment. However, those requiring radical treatment report greater changes in HRQoL with the need for appropriate clinical and supportive care to minimise the impact of treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]