What do you wish people knew about bladder cancer?
Those outside of the cancer community may not know much about bladder cancer. What do you wish they knew?
Firstly I wish that people including medical professionals were more aware of the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer and that it can affect any age and any sex. It’s not just an “old mans” cancer. In fact bladder cancer is the 5th most common of cancers. I didn’t know that until I was affected it by it.
Maybe, if I’d been more aware I would have demanded a second opinion sooner and wouldn’t have ended up having to undergo life saving/changing surgery.
Having bladder cancer is life changing both mentally and physically, but it needn’t be life ending.
If caught early bladder cancer is treatable.
If the cancer is diagnosed in a more advanced state then a Urostomy can be an option. This was my choice, and although I don’t regret my decision it is a life changing surgery. But one that can be lived with.
My Urostomy hasn’t stopped me from undertaking any activity, with the exception of lifting, that’s a big no no for us Ostomates as we are very prone to hernias.
I wish that people were aware that queuing with a Urostomy can be difficult as we have no control over the filling of our “bags” and that sometimes we need to “jump the line” or make use of a “disabled” toilet.
