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“It is our hope that the My Bladder Cancer Story campaign will be an avenue for those affected by bladder cancer to share their stories to be a voice for those who, for far too long, have felt alone in this fight against this disease.”

Andrea Maddox-Smith, BCAN CEO
Share Your Story

  • Kristi’s Story: Being an Advocate for Yourself is the Most Important Thing

    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

  • Diana’s Story: Be Positive, Informed and Realistic

    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

  • Shelby Got Bladder Cancer at 21 Years of Age

    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

  • Kesha’s Story: Anyone Can Get Bladder Cancer. I Was 39 Years Old.

    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

  • Melanie’s Story: I Was Shocked to Learn I Had Bladder Cancer

    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

  • Barbara’s Story: “You Have Cancer” is Something No One Wants to Hear

    My first indication that something was wrong was that I began having heavy bleeding, which was very scary.  As a female, I wasn’t even sure where it was coming from.  I called my doctor, and the nurse practitioner told me to come in for a urine test.  I was… Read More

  • Jo’s Story: Each Day is a Gift

    In August of 2004 I had a routine appointment with my pulmonologist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) during the 4th quarter of a 20-year “smoker study.”  The day before, when I saw blood in my urine and the local urologist couldn’t see me for five weeks. … Read More

  • Annmarie’s Story: I don’t have a bag, I have a prosthetic bladder

    A very happy Annmarie with her grandson I am a schoolteacher at a high school in Mashpee, Massachusetts. I started to have symptoms in May 2018. I was at school and I got a sharp pain in my kidney area and I thought, “Oh, kidney stones.” I knew something wasn’t… Read More

  • Meet a Chapel Hill Walk to End Bladder Cancer Ambassador, Leslie Watts

    The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network is pleased to welcome one of our two Chapel Hill Walk to End Bladder Cancer Ambassadors, Leslie Watts.  Dr. Matt Milowsky is also a Walk Ambassador.  The Chapel Hill Walk will take place on May 2, 2020. Leslie told BCAN: My husband and I… Read More

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