Varvara
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Posts:4
Hello,
I am writing to make patients with Lung Cancer THAT WERE SMOKERS aware of something that I was not,
That BLADDER CANCER can develop as a second cancer to people that already have Lung Cancer.
The largest group of people that get Bladder Cancer are MEN OVER 65 WHO WERE SMOKERS.
My husband who had Stage III NSCLC found out suddenly that he had BLADDER CANCER too.
Not metastatic, but a second primary cancer. It turns out that the Lung Cancer treatment worked,
but Unfortunately, now his Bladder cancer is Stage Iv. I did not have Bladder Cancer on my radar, but
I wish I knew about it.
Forums
Reply # - January 21, 2020, 11:20 AM
Varvara, I had not heard of
Varvara, I had not heard of those stats before. I wonder if there is a real correlation between the two or is it that men over 65 are more likely to smoke or to have smoked. Either way I'm so sorry that he has stage IV bladder cancer. The fact that it's stage IV changes my thoughts on your other thread. The main question remains how would knowing about the node change treatment. Since it's stage IV it may not unless/until there are symptoms that might be addressed. I hate cancer.
Janine
I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.
Reply # - January 22, 2020, 08:09 AM
Varvara, I was thinking about
Varvara, I was thinking about what you and I said about men over 65 who get bladder cancer. I don't think I understood the correlation you are making. But I'm reading it again and understand. Men over 65 who have smoked are the largest group who get bladder cancer. Yesterday was a hectic day, please excuse me for misreading. So...
My first thought about that is how irritated it makes me when people reveal they have lung cancer the response they get is often, "I didn't know you smoked". You don't get that from all the other diseases that often come from environmental reasons including smoking. Not to mention it doesn't matter after the fact. But I digress.
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if smoking is a factor in bladder cancer. As a matter of fact, smoking is a factor in all kinds of maladies that don't get the, I didn't know you smoked, admonishment. Not to mention lots of people who get lung cancer never smoked.
Still it's possible the numbers sway to men over 65 because the average age of being diagnosed with cancer rises with age so there are more people in general who get cancer in general in their 60 and 70 than younger people. 50 years ago more men smoked than women (that's changed along with the lung cancer rates in women).
Speaking of smoking, This may be of interest, Surgeon General to release report on smoking habits in the U.S.
It's absolutely important for those who have had cancer to keep a close eye with screening. Thank you so much for your watchful wisdom. BTW, We have new bladder cancer experts on faculty so don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions about your husband's care.
Janine
I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.
Reply # - January 27, 2020, 05:34 PM
Smoking and bladder cancer
GRACE Community Outreach Team
Varvara,
I'm sorry to hear of your husband's second diagnosis. Unfortunately patients who have had one type of cancer can be at risk for another. We will keep both of you in our thoughts.
Janine, I think you're analysis is spot on. Cancer usually takes a long time to develop to the point at which it can form tumors and be diagnosed, which explains the frequency in patients over 65. There is a strong link between smoking and bladder cancer, and men are four times more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer than women are. All of this is discussed here: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/smoking-bladder-cancer
Jim C Forum Moderator