The American Most cancers Society estimates that over 20,000 ladies in the US can be identified with bladder most cancers in 2024. Whereas bladder most cancers occurs much less typically in ladies than in males, ladies usually tend to have superior phases and decrease survival charges. Bladder most cancers can be extra prone to occur in your later years ā about 9 out of 10 persons are over the age of 55.
On condition that your bladder is near your reproductive organs, it’s possible you’ll surprise how these organs is likely to be affected when you’ve got bladder most cancers.
HealthyWomen spoke with two specialists to get solutions to probably the most steadily requested questions on caring for your reproductive well being when you could have bladder most cancers.
Lee A. Richter, M.D., is a board-certified urologist and affiliate professor of each urology and obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown College Faculty of Medication. Melissa Donohue, DSW, is a licensed scientific social employee and authorized intercourse therapist.
Can bladder most cancers unfold to my reproductive organs?
When you’ve got bladder most cancers, it means most cancers cells are current within the bladder. More often than not, the most cancers stays contained in the bladder, however in some situations, it leaves the liner of the bladder and spreads into or outdoors the muscle. This is called muscle-invasive bladder most cancers. And itās uncommon, however potential, that this most cancers can unfold to your reproductive organs.
Does being in menopause improve my danger of bladder most cancers?
There’s some proof that appears to recommend that the chance of bladder most cancers goes up when menopause occurs at an early age, however the knowledge isnāt robust sufficient to say for positive. There additionally isnāt sufficient proof to indicate that hormones, like estrogen, trigger bladder most cancers.
Nevertheless, your possibilities of having bladder most cancers improve with age. Menopause is a hormonal change, so though there isnāt sufficient proof to say menopause will increase the chance, people who find themselves postmenopausal are at larger danger for bladder most cancers in comparison with premenopausal individuals.
Can being in perimenopause or menopause make it tougher to get a prognosis?
Blood within the urine is a significant symptom of bladder most cancers. So, should youāre in perimenopause and nonetheless getting durations, it might be laborious to inform the place the blood is coming from. Being in menopause additionally will increase your danger of getting UTIs (due to decrease estrogen ranges), and UTIs are another excuse for having blood in your urine. Your healthcare supplier (HCP) might need to make sure that the blood isn’t from one in every of these different causes earlier than screening for most cancers.
However, whereas your HCP is following their protocols for trying out blood within the urine, bladder most cancers may unfold and be extra superior by the point itās caught.
In case youāre examined for a UTI and get a damaging outcome, itās necessary to observe up together with your HCP to see whatās inflicting blood in your urine. Bladder most cancers and UTIs may occur on the similar time, so if you’re identified with a UTI and suspect one thing else is mistaken, itās OK to request additional testing.
Learn: For Practically a Yr, Docs Dismissed My Bladder Most cancers Signs as UTIs >>
Can I stay on contraception throughout most cancers remedy?
You may proceed utilizing each hormonal and nonhormonal contraception even when you’ve got bladder most cancers. Bladder most cancers doesnāt use hormones to develop and unfold, so hormonal contraception, such because the tablet or a hormonal intrauterine machine (IUD), is secure to make use of. Non-hormonal contraception strategies, such because the copper IUD, spermicide and condoms, are additionally secure.
Will bladder most cancers remedy have an effect on my fertility?
As a result of bladder most cancers hardly ever impacts the reproductive organs, bladder most cancers remedy doesnāt normally contain eradicating the uterus or ovaries. There’s a process referred to as a genital-sparing cystectomy, which removes the bladder, however leaves the uterus and ovaries in place.
Thereās a sort of remedy generally known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is chemotherapy thatās given earlier than a cystectomy surgical procedure to cut back and management most cancers measurement and unfold earlier than the surgeon removes the most cancers and bladder.
If you must have any such chemo, you receivedāt be capable of turn into pregnant sooner or later and may develop menopausal signs comparable to sizzling flashes or vaginal dryness.
How can bladder most cancers remedy have an effect on my intercourse life?
Chemotherapy may cause vaginal dryness, which might result in irritation. It might additionally trigger mouth sores, making kissing and intimacy tougher. You additionally would possibly really feel nausea or fatigue, which might make it laborious to need to have intercourse.
Bladder surgical procedure may additionally go away you with a urostomy bag, which is a pouch that collects urine outdoors your physique. For some individuals, this will make them really feel self-conscious with their associate. Generally, a part of the vagina must be eliminated and this will shorten or slim the vaginal canal, making intercourse uncomfortable, tougher, or in some instances, inconceivable.
Communication, endurance and compassion are key parts for each couple. It might assist to create new patterns, discover your new regular, and redefine what intercourse is to you and your associate.
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Bladder Most cancers Advocacy Community
This instructional useful resource was created with help from Astellas and Pfizer.
