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Bladder Cancer Female Focus – Support and programs for women, by women

BCAN's Female Focus. Programs and support, by women, for women.
 

The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network is proud offer our Female Focus Bladder Cancer Online Support Group. Moderated by nurse and BCAN patient advocate Karen Sachse, RN, MSN and Fox Chase Cancer Center social worker Miriam Pomerantz Kadosh, MSW, LCSW, the Female Focus support group and programs will inform and empower you. Register here to be part of our monthly conversation by women for women.

In 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 82,000 will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in the United States. Of those, more than 19,000 will be women. Studies have shown that women are more likely to present more advanced tumors at diagnosis. According to a report published by the National Cancer Institute, the outcomes and survival rates for women with bladder cancer lags behind that of men at all stages of the disease. African-American women have poorer outcomes when diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Awareness is the key: in most cases, bladder cancer is treatable, but prompt diagnosis is critical

Drs. Sima Porten, Anne Schuckman, Kristen Scarpato, and Svetlana Avulova recently spoke about the Realities of Women With Bladder Cancer in an informative webinar.

Make sure you keep up-to-date with all of BCAN’s Female Focus support and programs. Subscribe to our BCAN Bulletin today.

Advice from women survivors

The good news is that in most cases, if caught early, bladder cancer is a manageable disease. There are tens of thousands of women surviving and thriving, even with bladder cancer today. Read some of their stories below.

Sue’s Story: Four Different Cancer Diagnoses, Including Bladder Cancer

I was no stranger to hearing the words “you have cancer” because bladder cancer was my third cancer and fourth cancer diagnosis. Many people would think that learning of my diagnosis, I would be scared and shocked, but it was the opposite. Despite my illnesses, I have always maintained a positive attitude and outlook on […]

Dianne’s Story: I Thought I Was Going to Die

In December 2019, I had a tiny bit of blood in my urine, which prompted me to see my primary doctor. He believed that it was a bladder or urinary tract infection and gave me antibiotics, which made me feel better. Later that week, I was scheduled for an appointment with a urologist who assured […]

Ann’s Story: Bladder Cancer Runs in the Family

Bladder cancer runs in the family My bladder cancer journey started in 2019 when I was diagnosed with stage one non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, this was not the first time I heard about this disease. In 2014, my father was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He spent his career working with rubber and dyes, had […]

This program is sponsored by the Bristol Myers Squibb, EMD/Pfizer Alliance, Genentech, Janssen and Merck. We are grateful for their support.