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Homepage – Forum Forums I May Have Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer Too young for bladder cancer

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 28 total)
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  • #32065
    Meghann
    Participant

    Hi. About a month ago I noticed blood when I went to the washroom. I thought it was menstral at first until a friend suggested it might not be. The thought of that never even crossed my mind.  I checked and it turns out I would pee like normal, then after I would bleed. I’d say about 20 drips of blood. It was enough that I filled a cup with normal pee and when I added the last part, the cup turned bright red.  I went to the clinic and he told me I probably had a UTI. The test was negative so I went back for more testing. It was then day 4 and I was scared enough I went to the hospital. My blood work and tests came back as I was on my way to the hospital and were normal except the obvious blood in the urine.

    When I saw the doctor at the hospital she told me that the tests were invasive and I need to wait until I’ve had symtoms for a few weeks then come back. I asked if I could get an ultrasound and she said “not at this time”. Then she said “I can tell you aren’t impressed with my diagnoses so you are welcome to be re-admitted to see another doctor”. I didn’t want to just be told the same thing again so I left because I had a doctors appt a few days later.

    My doctor sent me for an ultrasound and a cystoscopy. The ultrasound showed clear and now I’m waiting for my urologist appt on Sept 20 /18. This appt will be about 2.5 months  since the bleeding.

    I bleed for 4 full days and then it stopped and it hasn’t returned. It burned a little at the end of peeing the last few days but very minor. I have no other symptoms other than I feel like my warning system is gone half the time. I go from being totally fine to the pee pee dance in a few minutes.

    I’m glad my family doctor is sending me for the tests but everyone just keeps telling me that I’m fine and I’m too young to have bladder cancer. I’m a white, 37 year old, healthy female.

    I don’t like that my test is so far away and can’t stop wondering about what is wrong with me.

    #32068
    Rick B
    Participant

    Hi Meghann,

    It’s good that you reached out to this forum. There are a lot of people here who can share their experiences and help with understanding some of the language that goes with BC. However it is important to note that BC has not been determined at this time…stay strong, stay positive.

    You have done the right thing by insisting on further investigation. You are right in that BC is more common in older folks but I have seen many your age on this forum. I was diagnosed July 2012 (at age 61) with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer and have been cancer free since Sept 2013.  It took a year because of 2 recurrences followed by a series of BCG treatments.  My symtoms were similar except I did not see blood in my urine. I did have pain at the end of voiding and I had urgent need to void at times. The symtoms were not all the time either. My family doctor ran an ultrasound and found nothing…the urine did have ‘microscopic blood’ showing. He then ordered a Cytology using a urine sample and it showed suspicious cells and while not conclusive he was concerned I had bladder cancer. With the info he had, he was able to get an appointment with a Urologist within a couple of weeks and within 6 weeks I had a small tumor removed. I experienced the symtoms for about 3 months (off and on) so seeing your Uro by Sept 20th is decent timing. Is your appointment with the Uro for a Cystoscopy or Consultation? Ideally, it will be a Cysto because you will, or should, know then if there is a tumor. You won’t know if it cancer for a week or so when the Pathology report is completed.

    I always found the waiting was the worst so I fully understand where you are and a bit of how you feel. The key is to keep yourself busy and hopefully you have close ones / family to share what you’re going through as I found talking about it with my wife helped a lot. I was late reaching out to this forum but when I did it helped me further. The people here are great, understanding, supportive and have a good sense of humor which helps too.

    Wishing you the very best outcome…stay strong, stay positive and keep us in the loop.

     

    God Bless…Rick

    #32071
    Jack Moon
    Keymaster

    Hi Meghann,

    I echo Rick’s comments. It is good that your family doctor is pro-active and you are seeing a Urologist for a cystocopy.
    Waiting for tests and test results are extremely difficult as everyone here can attest to.
    Try to think positive and stay active and be very careful what you read on the internet, blood in the urine is only a sign that you MAY have bladder cancer but it is not always a fact that you do.
    Wishing you all the best
    Jack

    #32072
    Meghann
    Participant

    Hi Rick,

    I’m glad I found this site. I actually googled things for weeks and never came across it. I saw a sign at the ferry terminal so I decided to look into it.

    It just says I have an appointment but hopefully he will do the scope. It looks like that’s the plan. I’m not sure if I bleed again if I should just go back to the hospital and make them do one earlier but I guess I can figure that out if it happens again.

    I did go back to my doctors because I noticed something. He says it looks like a uterine caruncle and will be confirmed at my other appt I guess. I googled it a lot before my appt and decided that’s probably what it was and it’s relativly harmless. Most women don’t even know they have it unless a doctor finds it. It’s also really rare in pre-menopausal women (lucky me). Google also said it could be connected to BC but I guess I won’t know for a while.

    I have been talking to the people around me and keeping busy to distract me. I was really upset when the hospital sent me away but I’ve been better since my doctor agreed to do testing so at least I’ll know either way.

    Oh, and since it gets asked a lot, I’ve never smoked but my mom did through pregnancy and up until I was 11.

    #32073
    Meghann
    Participant

    Hi Jack,

    I understand that it’s only a MAY have BC but with the testing I’ve had so far they have ruled out kidney cancer, stones and infections. I think the only things left are some sort of tumor or my body being weird for no reason. In my opinion, that was way too much blood for too long for it just to be a random thing.

    I’ve googled a lot but only things that have happened so far. Blood in urine, ultrasound clear, etc. I’m not doing any research about actually having cancer until it’s confirmed because I don’t need my brain thinking about all that and there seems to be so many types as well.

    #32086
    SJay
    Participant

    Hi Meghann

    Even if the uro wasn’t planning a cystoscopy, ask for it anyway. They should already be set up to do it and it is a quick test. It’s the only way you will know for sure. Maybe you could call the office in advance and confirm.

    In my case, I had peeing urgency as well as bleeding. At first the uro focused on the peeing urgency and when I reminded him of the bleeding he did a double take (they don’t always have great listening skills) and then did a cystoscopy immediately.

    Good luck to you.

    Stephen

    #32092
    Meghann
    Participant

    Hi Stephen,

    Oh trust me, I’ll be asking for one. I need to know and have seen too many people with clear ultrasounds to just let it go.

    What did they see on your Cysto?

    I just spoke to a woman in the coffee shop that had pain and bleeding for a year. She had all the tests and they never did figure it out and eventually she just got better. She was 33 and that was many years ago. Years later she got cancer in her uterus but it was probably unrealated but has me a tad worried.

    Thanks

    #32095
    Rick B
    Participant

    Hi Meghann,

    Being worried is normal but try not to focus on that side too much. At the outset I got caught up in a lot of stuff on the internet…you know “Dr Google” and to some extent hearing about others with cancer. I was sure that my situation was doom and gloom. To put it mildly, I put myself through a lot more than I should have.

    As to your Sept 20th Uro appointment, if it is at her/his office then it will most likely be a consulation. If it’s at the hospital, then you would most likely hear from the out patient depart who will provide you instructions. In my case, my Uro performed cysto’s at the hospital and not at the office/clinic. In some loactions the Uro’s may do the exam in a clinic set up for such. My Uro is in Peterborough Ont so I saw him at the PRHC.

    I dedect that you have a good handle on this…bravo…hope this helps a little…stay strong, stay positive…God Bless.

    Rick

    #32100
    SJay
    Participant

    Hi Meghann

    Well they saw a few tumors when I had my cysto. That was the start of a long story. At this point I am cancer free for over two years. There have been some affects on my life, but I still ski, hike, kayak, travel, etc. so all is good.

    Stephen

    #32105
    Meghann
    Participant

    Thanks for the messages everyone. I may or may not end up having it but either way I’m really glad I found this group ❤️

    #32118
    marysue
    Participant

    Hi Meghann:

    Welcome to Bladder Cancer Canada. As one female to another, you are doing the right thing in insisting on further investigation.  Too many women get passed over when it comes to bladder cancer.  Many docs will say, “You’re too young” or “It’s a female issue”.  I have always told women to get both ends checked out.  Blood in the urine is not normal so it is better to be safe than sorry.  As others have said it may not be bladder cancer.  It could be a host of other things including cystitis which is bladder inflammation. I’m glad that you are insisting on having a cystoscopy exam.  It is not the easiest of exams but it does give you an inside look at your bladder and you will know right away if there is something to be concerned about and the uro should tell you of any necessary next steps at that appointment.

    I too am a non smoker but was exposed to a lot of heavy second hand smoke growing up- both in the home, friend’s homes and in the work place before it was banned.  In fact when I was young, smoking was still allowed in restaurants and on airplanes.  Even if you asked to sit in the “non-smoking” section you still ended up inhaling second hand smoke because of all the smokers.  I did ask more than one uro if second hand smoke could cause bladder cancer but the medical jury seems to be still out on that.  I figure it is possible because it has been proven that second hand smoke can cause lung cancer so why not bladder cancer since smoking is a main cause of the disease?

    Anyhow, best of luck come September. Please stay in touch and let us know how it goes. (((((HUGS)))))

    #32125
    Meghann
    Participant

    Hi Marysue,

    it was like that when I was growing up too. I think they only banned smoking inside like 10-15 years ago. My mom smoked heavily until I was 11.

    I decided last week that I’m glad my appt got put off. At least I don’t have to spend the last month of summer dealing with it and can enjoy the sun 😊.

     

    #32193
    marysue
    Participant

    Hi Meghann:

    Enjoy the sun.  I hope wherever you live you are not dealing with smoke from forest fires.  It has been a long hot and tough, smoky month here in Calgary.  (((((HUGS))))))

    #32198
    Meghann
    Participant

    I live in Vancouver. It’s bad here, we can’t see very far and I had my first forest fire dream last night which can’t be a good sign 😳

    At least the smoke isn’t bothering me. I know a few people that are coughing pretty bad because of it.

    #32327
    Meghann
    Participant

    So I called and checked. My urologist appt is only a consult. If he send me for a cystoscopy then it’s going to be late October.

    I haven’t bled again but the urge to pee ASAP is still there. Plus my once hidden Uretral caruncle that I had to push to see is now just there pushing itself out 😳

    I seem to get sick, a lot. Right now I have a lung infection. I’ve been coughing for 2 weeks and just finished my antibiotics. I’ve coughed so hard a few times it made me sick. It’s made me wonder…

    What symptoms do people who have been diagnosed experience? What did you have that you might have thought was normal in the past?

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