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Non Invasive Bladder Cancer
Posted bysara.anne on April 16, 2008 at 11:01 pm
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Start of DiscussionNow0 of 0 repliesJune 2018
I want to emphasize that I am not angry at anyone on this list, but I am angry and feel the need to tell my tale. I was diagnosed in January (had my second BCG today). Am a female, non-smoker. BUT my husband smoked…a pipe…all the time. Claimed that he “didn’t inhale.” For a while I was having real breathing problems and asked if he would PLEASE at least not smoke in the car. He agreed…until they decided that I didn’t have asthma after all. Then he began again. In 1998 he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He said that he would quit smoking AFTER his lung surgery. Until they told him that his lungs were in such bad shape that they couldn’t operate until he had several months of pulmonary therapy. Then he quit. He died a year and a half later.
Now I am also paying a price….both my internist and urologist feel that second hand smoke could well be a causative factor in my BC.
Every time I see someone smoking I want to shake them. Not only are they putting themselves in danger, but are also harming their loved ones. I can’t be angry at my husband…he paid a terrible price.
Thanks for letting me vent.Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum ModeratorSarahlee replied 16 years, 2 months ago8 Members·14 Replies
14 Replies
Rosemary
Member
April 17, 2008 at 1:43 am
Sara Anne,
I’ve posted about the second hand smoke issue before. When I was a child, both of my parents smoked in the car with the windows rolled up. Long trips were always the total pits for us kids. My dad died of lung cancer at the age of 56. I was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer at the age of 54.
The part that I don’t understand, is that none of my other 4 siblings (2 of whom are older than me) have any type of cancer, bladder cancer or other. My Mother smoked for 50 years and has never had cancer.
I’m not advocating smoking, but if smoking or second hand smoke CAUSES bladder cancer, then why doesn’t it cause bladder cancer for everybody???
I have an aunt who is 92 and is still smoking. My mother took her a carton of cigarettes from NC for her 90th birthday.
No matter what the causes MIGHT be, bladder cancer just doesn’t seem to be an equal opportunity disease for everybody.
It’s just really hard to pin the cause of this disease down to anything.
I was Dx’d in January of 06 and I’ve not had any recurrances yet….
Best regards,
RosemaryRosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006sara-anne
Member
April 17, 2008 at 2:38 am
Rosemary, I am sure that there are a lot of factors, other than smoke, that go into the development of cancer…probably the most important is the “condition” of our DNA. Probably, all during our lives various things such as smoke, exposure to chemicals, free radicals, happen that affect this. Also, our genetics
(something pretty subtle.) But anything we can do to reduce the “attack” on our DNA will reduce the probabilities.Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum ModeratorSlabman
Member
April 17, 2008 at 2:41 am
I’m with Rosemary. Never smoked in my life, but did have to put up with the parents’ smoke in the car. I remember we kids would blow out my Mother’s matches when she tried to light up and she’d get mad! Today parents are more understanding, I would think. Everyplace I go I try to avoid even the slightest hint of smoke in the air, much to the consternation of my wife (she doesn’t smoke but is more tolerant of it than I). So tell me….what is the cause of this disease? Who knows? Many things. Sometimes it just comes down to luck….or a lack thereof.
Bob
T1 G3
Age 66
DX April 2008
TURB April 2008
Last BCG (#15) April 2009
Guest
April 17, 2008 at 2:53 am
Hi,
Both my parents smoked heavily while I was a kid, too. But I have read somewhere that everyone has cancer cells – just some immune systems don’t fight it well. But I think I have also read that we are all just 2 mutations away from cancer, too. I know I had more than a few causative possibilities.
Wish I could remember where I see or hear these things! lol God Bless, HollyGina
Member
April 17, 2008 at 3:57 am
sara anne,
my uro asked my husband and adult daughters if i smoked…she was surprised when they told her no!!…she did tell my husband that being around second hand smoke could well contribute to the “return” of my bc…he has since began smoking only outside our home…he doesn’t smoke anymore in the car…this for me..and our young daughters!!…of course it doesn’t cause cancer for “all”…nothing in our lives is “all or nothing”….certainly with bc causes,treatments and outcomes will vary considerably…BUT, if there is a factor which adds risk…it’s best to stop and steer clear!!…just my two cents…not worth that!..smiles…ginaLeigh
Member
April 17, 2008 at 8:28 am
Hello Sara Anne,
I too grew up in many smoky environments primarily at home as my father smoked cigarettes and cigars in my early childhood years. Dad gave up smoking when I was around 10 although we had regular weekend visits to grandparents whom smoked very heavily.
Sadly my mum whom never smoked died of cancer when she was 48 and my grandparents all died young from various types of cancer although thankfully my dad has never had any illness to worry about.
I too smoked for 20 years and gave up 4 years before my diagnosis but will never know if this caused my cancer; it could well have been a combination of events.
When I was a child and young adult, all of our social meeting places restaurants, bars, nightclubs, buses and trains permitted smoking so we all had our fair share of smoke inhalation. It is pretty strange how cancer seems to be a lottery as to who will be slapped by the cancer stick.
Genetics as we know have a role to play in ailments and diseases that touch the human race and it would be wonderful if we could pin point the reasons for our future generations. I do hope that in our life time cancer will become if not cured a manageable condition.
Luckily our governments are finally acting on the smoking and pollution issues although we have a long way to go. It is becoming more and more difficult to smoke in public areas here in Europe thankfully. Let’s hope that all parents whom smoke and have children at home will finally wake up and be educated to the effects of second hand smoke.
I am not sure anymore were I heard this (dementia) but apparently if in the presence of a smoker we also smoke 1 in every 4 cigarettes smoked by that smoker.
As Gina’s Urologist mentioned, being around second hand smoke could well contribute to the return of our bladder cancer. Certainly if there is any chance of that we should all steer clear of second hand smoke.
Wishing for clean smoke free air for you all…..
Leigh
Leigh, 39
Dx July 2007
TURBT July 2007
RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & CisplatinumRosemary
Member
April 17, 2008 at 10:28 am
I seem to be really, really sensitive to second hand smoke. I avoid it like the plague, and highly recommend that all of us do!! It’s a shame that we have to live like this.
When I was living in Utah in the 1970’s the law for a tobacco free enviroment was already in place. There was NO smoking in public places, so for at least two years, during my 20’s, my body was toxin free from the effects of second hand smoke. When I moved back to North Carolina, boy, was that a jolt to my physical system!! Smoke everywhere!!
It’s interesting, if you go the National Cancer Institute website and compare bladder cancer by state, Utah has a very, very low incidence of Bladder Cancer by population. I’m assuming this must be because of Utah being a Mormon populated state and their practice of “the Word of Wisdom”….no tobacco, coffee or tea, or alcoholic beverages….
I hate cigarette smoke. I just find it weird the way the way that purported consequences of smoke/second hand smoke played out in my family.
Regards to all,
RosemaryRosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006-
Guest
April 17, 2008 at 11:59 am
I know there is second hand smoke and there always has been but don’t forget the cars you drive and that healthy exhaust that trails them and if you live near any cities with refineries they put out some nice toxic waste. No matter what disease comes along first smoking and second is drinking on our life styles. I was just talking to my wife about this with BC there are more women getting it and the ages are so dang young. I honestly think there is something else causing BC that they have not come across yet. I’m not saying smoking is great but it is not the only cause for BC. Well this is why they research but just in the last year here at this forum the ages as I said are so damn young both male and female. Just a Thought, Joe ;)
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Guest
April 17, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Well heres my take on the smoke issue,,my parents smoked, but not heavily, my dad quit at age 34 as he got blood clots in his legs,,(plybythes)?,, my mom died of a brain anyerisym,,at age 72, I know one thing, smoking is bad for everyone, but lots of people who are health nuts get bladder cancer, its is strange,,I can remember the nurses smoking at their desks when I was little when going to see my mom in the hospital. Smoking, as my daughter-in-law has told me over and over agin, she is a RN, contributes to issues with all the organs,,and ones make-up is what may catch you in the end. How your body deals with the infiltration of the nasty chemicals it promotes. Gene smoked right up til his surgery, then he quit, it is a hard habit to get rid off, and anyone who is trying I hope they succeed!!!! BUT IF YOU FAIL I STILL APPLAUD YOU FOR TRYING!!!
Ginger Lost in the Fog
Member
April 18, 2008 at 2:46 am
I have been lurking on this website for awhile and havent introduced myself. I am a 52 year old female just diagnosed with a Ta1 papillary tumor. I just wanted to comment on this discussion about causes and smoking. I have none of the risk factors for BC….never smoked, exercised religiously, ate very healthily…organic broccoli and green tea everyday!, and so on. But I’m reading that 50 % of BC may be caused by acrylamine exposure outside of smoking, e.g. in diesel exhaust. I think they haven’t found all the sources that may be a factor. Maybe even the semipermanent hair dye I’ve had applied every couple of months…. (hmmm, time to go grey)
BTW, this is a wonderful website. THe information and stories here gave me so much peace of mind during the wait for the pathology report. You folks are wonderful!
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Guest
April 18, 2008 at 3:40 am
Lost in the Fog,
I agree with you, will we ever know for sure what really does it,,? I have a friend who is dieing of lung cancer, never smoked in his life…so there ya go,,
why do these things happen to ones who are least likely to get it..hair die has been talked about as well, I have read several articles on that issue. It is a mystery for sure..when I think of all the crap in the air it isn’t a wonder, my husband worked in the Ford Foundry, although he was a engineer his job took him out in the foundry on a daily basis and not at a 8 hour a day situation. He also was in the presence of agent orange in Vietnam. Many situations, but what final gave it to him, we will never know…..Ginger Rosemary
Member
April 18, 2008 at 10:23 am
I’ve been thinking on this for the last few days. I had to go to the Seer Statistics and look up the difference in rates for Utah and NC. I’m not good at reading graphs and tables, but without a longer study (gotta get ready for work), this is what I got…
Utah Count for Bladder Cancer 273
NC Count for Bladder Cancer 1575North Carolina has the distinction of being the tobacco growing capital of the US.
The whole premise of our main agricultural livelihood (tobacco farmers) is changing big time. This is not a bad thing. It is all just very tied in with our way of life and I think the State government is handling it pretty well.My County (Craven) has the second highest incidence of bladder cancer per year in the State.
28 per year.You can go here to check your State and County and see a comparison….
http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/cgi-bin/quickprofiles/profile.pl?37&071
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006Gina
Member
April 18, 2008 at 1:50 pm
thanks rosemary!! interesting link!!
Sarahlee
Member
April 20, 2008 at 9:56 pm
hi I think the second hand smoke is a factor, I also think more younger women and men are going to be dx due to the popularity of drugs in our culture,huffing glue and arisols, pot smoking and smoking cocain are going to give more people BC than ever before,dont you think that will add to the numbers?hey when your young you dont think anything will kill you,the future is so far off.If we knew then what we know now.
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