BCAN asked Dr. Andrea Apolo, Chief of the Bladder Cancer Section of the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch of the National Cancer Institute, what researchers learn from bladder cancer patients who do not survive in a clinical trial. This is what she shared with us: Mr. Z. was enthusiastic about participating in the clinical
Stories
Marilu Henner Encourages Tough Talks on Bladder Cancer
For Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, BCAN and actress Marilu Henner have partnered with Genentech, a member of the Roche group, to share her personal story and help people navigate challenging – but necessary – conversations about bladder cancer. Marilu knows firsthand the importance of these discussions. In 2003, she and
Renata Turns to Writing
We thought my husband Ahmad’s bladder cancer was well under control after the original diagnosis of low grade Stage Ta, in 2011. He had several TURBTs, a partial cystectomy, and cystoscopies every three months. Dealing with the Stage Ta diagnosis, was relatively easy. We feared the fact that it was cancer
Frank – Two Cancers Don’t Stop Me
I am a non-smoking prostate cancer survivor who was treated with radiation and hormones. In 2015, I passed some blood tinged urine. This sent me to my urologist who did a urineanalysis and cystoscopy along with a CT urogram. It was determined that I had a Ta tumor which was
Marge opens a new door…
My husband Bill was diagnosed with bladder cancer in May 2010, just before the Memorial Day holiday. He was experiencing blood in his urine and immediately reached out to his doctor in New York City. We didn’t have a thought that it could be something serious. Believing that it was
Rick’s Neobladder Story
Like others, I had symptoms without a bladder cancer diagnosis for some time – urgency and frequency for eighteen months. I had discussed both with my physician after about nine months. He said that I was getting old (I was only 48!) and my father had prostate cancer. Knowing that
Mike’s New Normal Story
In 2016, at age 58, I was noticing changes: I needed to urinate more frequently, my stream wasn’t as strong and I was waking up several times each night. It seemed like the natural aging progression. When small ribbons of blood appeared in my urine, I contacted my physician. The urinalysis
Jim Zito – “Never give up hope!”
Lynn Zito shared her reflections on her husband Jim’s experience with bladder cancer. I don’t think people take bladder cancer seriously enough. Many think bladder cancer is just a disease of older people. They can have their bladder removed, and they will have a diversion and then be just fine
Jeff’s Story
Only 30 at the time of his diagnosis, Jeff is not your typical bladder cancer patient. Now four years and three children after his diagnosis, Jeff views his experience as an opportunity to raise awareness as well as funds to support research to end bladder cancer. After noticing blood in
Bob’s Immunotherapy Story
On March 17th, St Patrick’s day 2014, my wife and I were sitting at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in an examination room waiting for my new Oncologist, Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg to give us the news. Upon his arrival I could tell by looking at his face, it was not good.