Female

At the age of 22, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. For eight months, I had been experiencing bloating, burning during urination and abdominal pain. Initially, I thought it might be hormonal due to stopping my birth control. This prompted me to see my gynecologist, who told me I was… Read More

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… Read More

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… Read More

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… Read More

Before my diagnosis, I associated my symptoms with going through menopause; I was 55 when diagnosed. I had bleeding (hematuria) once before and decided to see my nurse practitioner. While there, they did a urinalysis and said everything was fine. The doctor confirmed my thinking that this was related… Read More

My journey with cancer started 14 years ago when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I had a hysterectomy, and no further treatment was necessary. But after I healed, I experienced intermittent spotting a few times a year. I had it checked out thoroughly, and my oncologist assured me… Read More

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2021 at the age of 21. One day I decided to make an appointment to see my OB/GYN because I was having what I thought were painful periods. The doctor did the usual pap smear, which was painful. I have a family history… Read More

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in December 2019 at the age of 39. Everything happened pretty fast. Before my diagnosis, I was having what I thought were recurring urinary tract infections for six months. I went to my doctor, and he would prescribe me antibiotics, which did not… Read More

Although I worked in healthcare for 30 years as a genetic counselor, Melanie was shocked to learn that she had bladder cancer. She told BCAN: Melanie and her husband In 2018, a year before my diagnosis I was having heaviness of the pelvic floor that prompted me to schedule… Read More