The American Most cancers Society estimates that over 20,000 women in america can be recognized with bladder most cancers in 2024. Whereas bladder cancer occurs much less usually in ladies than in males, ladies usually tend to have advanced stages and decrease survival charges. Bladder most cancers can also be extra more likely to occur in your later years — about 9 out of 10 persons are over the age of 55.
Provided that your bladder is near your reproductive organs, chances are you’ll marvel how these organs may be affected if in case you have bladder most cancers.
HealthyWomen spoke with two consultants to get solutions to probably the most ceaselessly requested questions on taking good care of 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 Drugs. Melissa Donohue, DSW, is a licensed scientific social employee and authorized intercourse therapist.
Can bladder most cancers unfold to my reproductive organs?
You probably have bladder cancer, 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 cases, it leaves the liner of the bladder and spreads into or outdoors the muscle. This is called muscle-invasive bladder cancer. And it’s uncommon, however attainable, that this most cancers can unfold to your reproductive organs.
Does being in menopause improve my threat of bladder most cancers?
There’s some proof that appears to recommend that the danger of bladder most cancers goes up when menopause happens at an early age, however the information isn’t sturdy sufficient to say for positive. There additionally isn’t 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 regardless that there isn’t sufficient proof to say menopause will increase the danger, people who find themselves postmenopausal are at larger threat for bladder most cancers in comparison with premenopausal individuals.
Can being in perimenopause or menopause make it more durable to get a prognosis?
Blood within the urine is a significant symptom of bladder most cancers. So, should you’re in perimenopause and nonetheless getting intervals, it could be onerous to inform the place the blood is coming from. Being in menopause additionally will increase your threat of getting UTIs (due to lower estrogen levels), and UTIs are another excuse for having blood in your urine. Your healthcare supplier (HCP) could need to be sure that the blood will not be from one in all 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 might unfold and be extra superior by the point it’s caught.
When you’re examined for a UTI and get a adverse end result, it’s vital to observe up along with your HCP to see what’s inflicting blood in your urine. Bladder most cancers and UTIs also can occur on the identical time, so if you’re recognized with a UTI and suspect one thing else is improper, it’s OK to request additional testing.
Read: For Nearly a Year, Doctors Dismissed My Bladder Cancer Symptoms as UTIs >>
Can I stay on contraception throughout most cancers remedy?
You may proceed utilizing each hormonal and nonhormonal birth control even if in case you have bladder most cancers. Bladder most cancers doesn’t use hormones to develop and unfold, so hormonal contraception, such because the tablet or a hormonal intrauterine gadget (IUD), is protected to make use of. Non-hormonal contraception strategies, such because the copper IUD, spermicide and condoms, are additionally protected.
Will bladder most cancers remedy have an effect on my fertility?
As a result of bladder most cancers not often impacts the reproductive organs, bladder most cancers remedy doesn’t normally contain eradicating the uterus or ovaries. There’s a process known as a genital-sparing cystectomy, which removes the bladder, however leaves the uterus and ovaries in place.
There’s a kind of remedy referred to as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is chemotherapy that’s given earlier than a cystectomy surgical procedure to scale back and management most cancers dimension and unfold earlier than the surgeon removes the most cancers and bladder.
If it’s important to have any such chemo, you gained’t be capable to develop into pregnant sooner or later and might develop menopausal signs equivalent to scorching 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 may really feel nausea or fatigue, which might make it onerous to need to have intercourse.
Bladder surgical procedure may additionally depart you with a urostomy bag, which is a pouch that collects urine outdoors your physique. For some individuals, this could make them really feel self-conscious with their accomplice. Generally, a part of the vagina must be eliminated and this could shorten or slender the vaginal canal, making intercourse uncomfortable, tougher, or in some circumstances, unattainable.
Communication, persistence and compassion are key elements for each couple. It might assist to create new patterns, discover your new regular, and redefine what intercourse is to you and your accomplice.
Assets
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
This instructional useful resource was created with help from Astellas and Pfizer.
