Bladder cancer is a tumor that grows in the bladder. The bladder is a round, hollow organ located in the lower part of the body, which collects urine from the kidneys and keeps it until you pass it out. Normally, cells of the body split only when needed, but cancer cells divide without any control and develop into a tumor. Once the cells start spreading, it’s hard to control them. The earlier the bladder cancer symptoms are diagnosed, better are the chances of successful treatment.

A few tips for aftercare for bladder cancer patients

• Take medicines as directed: Take your medicines properly. Consult your doctor if you think the medicine is not helping you. Keep your medicines handy and stock it in advance.
• Take care while taking chemotherapy: Take your medicines regularly during chemotherapy, to avoid any side effects. Tell your doctor, if you don’t feel good during chemotherapy or radiation.
• Keep a record of your health: Prepare a personalized follow-up plan. Decide on follow-up meets with your doctor. These decisions depend on various factors like the stage of cancer, treatment, side effects and your personal preferences.
• Watch for repetition: Sometimes, bladder cancer recurs if small areas of cancer remain undetected in the body. The cells can grow and may increase in number until they cause any symptoms or show up on test reports.
• It helps you manage long and short-term effects: Most of the time, people experience side effects when receiving treatment or sometimes after treatment. Sometimes, they develop after several months or even years. Long-term effects can include both physical and emotional changes.
• Talk to your doctor: Speak about every risk and side effects that you are facing during or after the treatment. Take every test, physical examination, and scan to help the doctor find and manage your condition throughout the treatment.

Some important points to remember during follow-up meets with doctor
Your doctor should be informed about all the details about your health and well being. Give your doctor information such as the following:

• Any pain that bothers you
• Any physical problems that interfere with daily life or are bothersome, such as fatigue, difficulty with bladder, bowel, or sexual function; difficulty while concentrating, etc.
• Any emotional problems you are experiencing such as anxiety or depression
• Any changes in your medical history including any new cancers