An elderly man (a friend of mine), leading a sedentary life, has been noticing blood in his urine. Doesn't happen all the time / daily, but otherwise frequent. Faint in color (not like full-on bloody red), but claims he has no urge to go to the loo many times during the night (which may / may not rule out prostate cancer?).

But damn near impossible to get him to visit the clinic for further checks, despite we friends urging him to go.
Could there be a something causing this, based from the information provided?

Kidney issue sign don't play play thing can go south very fast one .

Agree with post above, you can try search "cubby emu kidney" in youtube, blood in urine is very bad sign.

Friend of mine had this, recently diagnosed with early stage bladder cancer

Really need to go check

Could be kidney stones.