The American Most cancers Society estimates that over 20,000 women in america will likely be recognized with bladder most cancers in 2024. Whereas bladder cancer occurs much less usually in girls than in males, girls usually tend to have advanced stages and decrease survival charges. Bladder most cancers can be extra prone to occur in your later years — about 9 out of 10 individuals are over the age of 55.
On condition that your bladder is near your reproductive organs, you could surprise how these organs could be affected in case you have bladder most cancers.
HealthyWomen spoke with two consultants to get solutions to essentially the most steadily requested questions on taking good care of your reproductive well being when you will 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 medical social employee and licensed intercourse therapist.
Can bladder most cancers unfold to my reproductive organs?
When you 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 named muscle-invasive bladder cancer. And it’s uncommon, however attainable, 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 counsel that the danger of bladder most cancers goes up when menopause happens at an early age, however the information isn’t robust sufficient to say for positive. There additionally isn’t sufficient proof to point out that hormones, like estrogen, trigger bladder most cancers.
Nonetheless, your possibilities 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 increased threat for bladder most cancers in comparison with premenopausal individuals.
Can being in perimenopause or menopause make it tougher to get a analysis?
Blood within the urine is a serious symptom of bladder most cancers. So, if you happen to’re in perimenopause and nonetheless getting intervals, it might 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) might wish to make certain the blood isn’t from certainly one of 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 may unfold and be extra superior by the point it’s caught.
When you’re examined for a UTI and get a adverse outcome, it’s essential to comply with 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 fallacious, 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 possibly can proceed utilizing each hormonal and nonhormonal birth control even 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 hardly ever impacts the reproductive organs, bladder most cancers remedy doesn’t often 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.
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 measurement and unfold earlier than the surgeon removes the most cancers and bladder.
If it’s important to have such a chemo, you gained’t have the ability to develop into pregnant sooner or later and might develop menopausal signs reminiscent of sizzling flashes or vaginal dryness.
How can bladder most cancers remedy have an effect on my intercourse life?
Chemotherapy may cause vaginal dryness, which may result in irritation. It could actually additionally trigger mouth sores, making kissing and intimacy harder. You additionally would possibly really feel nausea or fatigue, which may make it onerous to wish 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 may make them really feel self-conscious with their associate. Typically, a part of the vagina must be eliminated and this may shorten or slender the vaginal canal, making intercourse uncomfortable, harder, or in some circumstances, unattainable.
Communication, persistence and compassion are key parts for each couple. It could actually assist to create new patterns, discover your new regular, and redefine what intercourse is to you and your associate.
Sources
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
This academic useful resource was created with assist from Astellas and Pfizer.
