Over 20,700 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year in the UK [source]. Treatment options vary depending, for example, on a patient’s age, any other medical conditions, and the type and severity of their cancer.
Some will need to have their bladders removed, and receive a urinary diversion, such as a urostomy. An estimated 1,200 patients receive a urinary diversion each year, and roughly 12,000 people live with a urostomy in the UK. It is thought that at least 74% will have undergone this surgery because of a cancer diagnosis.
Receiving a bladder cancer diagnosis and being told that you will never wee normally again can be terrifying, and patients can leave their consultations reeling, only to think of a hundred questions before they reach home.
That’s why its so important to have trusted information to hand. To mark this Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, we highlight the information on our website that patients might find useful at the early stages following diagnosis.
What life will be like after surgery for a urinary diversion can be difficult to visualise. So we are so grateful to everyone who has shared their stories on our blogs page. We’re highlighting Cathy and Allen’s stories here because they describe how they recovered from the shock of diagnosis to live life to the full again; they’re an inspiration!
Visit the Support for you pages to see how the Urostomy Association can help you, whatever the stage of your personal journey. And remember, we are here for you, every step of the way.
