The American Most cancers Society estimates that over 20,000 ladies in the USA might be recognized with bladder most cancers in 2024. Whereas bladder most cancers occurs much less usually 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 — 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 is likely to be affected if in case you have 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’ve gotten 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 College of Medication. Melissa Donohue, DSW, is a licensed medical social employee and licensed intercourse therapist.
Can bladder most cancers unfold to my reproductive organs?
In case you have 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 exterior the muscle. This is named muscle-invasive bladder most cancers. And it’s uncommon, however doable, that this most cancers can unfold to your reproductive organs.
Does being in menopause enhance 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 occurs at an early age, however the knowledge isn’t robust sufficient to say for certain. There additionally isn’t sufficient proof to indicate that hormones, like estrogen, trigger bladder most cancers.
Nevertheless, your probabilities of having bladder most cancers enhance with age. Menopause is a hormonal change, so though there isn’t sufficient proof to say menopause will increase the danger, people who find themselves postmenopausal are at greater threat for bladder most cancers in comparison with premenopausal folks.
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, for those who’re in perimenopause and nonetheless getting durations, it might be arduous to inform the place the blood is coming from. Being in menopause additionally will increase your threat of getting UTIs (due to decrease estrogen ranges), and UTIs are one more reason for having blood in your urine. Your healthcare supplier (HCP) could need to ensure that the blood is just not from one in all these different causes earlier than screening for most cancers.
However, whereas your HCP is following their protocols for testing 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 unfavorable end result, it’s vital to comply with up along with your HCP to see what’s inflicting blood in your urine. Bladder most cancers and UTIs may also occur on the identical time, so in case you are recognized with a UTI and suspect one thing else is improper, it’s OK to request additional testing.
Can I stay on contraception throughout most cancers remedy?
You’ll be able to proceed utilizing each hormonal and nonhormonal contraception 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 capsule or a hormonal intrauterine system (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 doesn’t often 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 sort of remedy generally known 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 this kind of chemo, you received’t be capable of change into pregnant sooner or later and may develop menopausal signs akin 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 will possibly additionally trigger mouth sores, making kissing and intimacy tougher. You additionally may really feel nausea or fatigue, which might make it arduous to need to have intercourse.
Bladder surgical procedure may additionally go away you with a urostomy bag, which is a pouch that collects urine exterior your physique. For some folks, this will make them really feel self-conscious with their companion. 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 circumstances, unattainable.
Communication, endurance and compassion are key elements for each couple. It will possibly assist to create new patterns, discover your new regular, and redefine what intercourse is to you and your companion.
Sources
Bladder Most cancers Advocacy Community
This academic useful resource was created with help from Astellas and Pfizer.
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