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CANCERSMART • Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation • November 2011 • Issue 10
Bladder Cancer
The Little Known Cancer
A Lifeline to Cancer Support
By Valerie MacLeod and Greg Neely
Bladder Cancer Survivors and Directors, Bladder Cancer Canada
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in
Canada, yet many Canadians have never heard of it.
FACTS ABOUT BLADDER CANCER
• Men develop it more often than women1.
• It is the fourth leading cause of cancer in men with
about 5,400 new cases in Canada in 2011; it ranks
twelfth in women with about 1,800 new cases2.
• Approximately 60,000 - 70,000 Canadians are
directly affected by this disease3.
CAUSES OF BLADDER CANCER
The causes of bladder cancer are not known. However,
known risk factors include smoking, age and exposure
to chemicals in the making of dye.
UNDER-REPORTING
The number of occurrences is higher than recorded
because Ontario does not keep statistics on carcinoma in
situ bladder cancer (CIS)4, a high grade cancerous lesion
which is often more diffuse and difficult to visualize. It
can, however, be a very aggressive form of the disease.
DETECTION OF BLADDER CANCER
• The most common symptom of bladder cancer
is blood in the urine (hematuria) with little or no
pain. It should ALWAYS be assessed by a physician
who understands the need to rule out bladder
cancer.
• The hematuria might be intermittent or constant.
• A sense of urgency to urinate might accompany the
above symptom.
TREATMENT OF BLADDER CANCER
The majority (about 70%) of bladder cancers are
superficial. This means they are only in the lining of the
bladder. However, left undiagnosed and untreated, these
cells can invade the muscle wall and through it. Even
with treatment, some superficial cancers may become
invasive. For those with invasive bladder cancer, removal
of the bladder is the most common form of treatment
(called a radical cystectomy), and the construction of a
new urinary diversion is required such as a catheter, or a
neobladder.
REGULAR CHECK-UPS
For the rest of the patient’s life, a cystoscopy on a
quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis is essential.
Bladder cancer is the most expensive cancer to treat on a
per patient basis because of an 80% recurrence rate5.
EDUCATING BLADDER CANCER PATIENTS
It is important for patients who are diagnosed with
bladder cancer to educate themselves as best as they can
to become active members of their own healthcare team.
Although more research and development for bladder
cancer is needed, there are resources available for patients
looking to gain more information about their diagnosis:
• Bladder Cancer Canada – Bladder Cancer Patient
Education Meetings: and patient support one-on-one
or group in and Discussion Forum on their website.
Patients should consult with their
medical team for any additional
patient education materials on
bladder cancer available through
their treatment centre.
Continued on next page
© Copyright 2011 • All information in this newsletter is owned by or licensed to Wellspring and all rights are reserved.
Charitable Registration # 89272 8940 RR0001 • www.wellspring.ca/cancersmart
CANCERSMART • Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation • November 2011 • Issue 10
Bladder Cancer
The Little Known Cancer CONT’D
A Lifeline to Cancer Support
By Valerie MacLeod and Greg Neely
Bladder Cancer Survivors and Directors, Bladder Cancer Canada
THE FUTURE OF BLADDER CANCER TREATMENT
Unlike other urogenital cancers, bladder cancer
treatments have not experienced any significant
breakthroughs nor have there been any new products
developed and approved. Advances in treatments have
been incremental, with the same diagnosis and treatment
methods being used for decades. There is a great need for
improved testing for bladder cancer as there remains no
single test for the diagnosis of bladder cancer such as the
Prostate-specific antigen or PSA test for prostate cancer.
There is also a need for improvements in treatment as
the current solutions are often muscle invasive and even
require removal of the bladder and other organs5.
TO REACH THE DESIRED FUTURE
With more opportunities for increased education,
research and development and greater awareness for this
lesser known cancer, there can be better outcomes for
people diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Bladder Cancer Canada:
In 2009, two bladder cancer survivors, Jack
Moon and David Guttman, found themselves
alone and without peer support in their fight
with this disease; they started a patient support
and advocacy organization, now called Bladder
Cancer Canada.
Bladder Cancer Canada is integrally supported by
a medical advisory board and a medical research
board of leading academic urologists, oncologists
and pathologists. Bladder Cancer Canada exists
to provide one-to-one support for patients and
their caregivers who are living with bladder
cancer and its effects. It also seeks to promote
awareness of this little-known cancer among the
public and provide funding for research.
To learn more about important updates in research,
education and awareness opportunities please visit the
Bladder Cancer Canada website at:
www.bladdercancercanada.org
Canadian Cancer Statistics 2011 produced by the Canadian Cancer Society and
Statistics Canada
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid.
4
Ibid.
5
Dr. Alexandre Zlotta, “The Future of Bladder Cancer”, Bladder Cancer Canada
Educational Meeting, May 28, 2011.
1
© Copyright 2011 • All information in this newsletter is owned by or licensed to Wellspring and all rights are reserved.
Charitable Registration # 89272 8940 RR0001 • www.wellspring.ca/cancersmart