Brand new here, with a stupid question.

14 years 1 month ago #30314 by GKLINE
Replied by GKLINE on topic Brand new here, with a stupid question.
Smoked 1 cigarette in my life (promptly threw up!)
Never smoked pot... Although my college room mates tried hard.
Was always outdoors cycling, skiing etc
The closest I got to smoking was a cigar on the golf course.
maybe 10 in a YEAR.

Got bladder cancer anyway

I am NOT complaining by any means. I look at the trials of other people and consider myself damn lucky. Found it early enough to save my life and am happy to have this second chance.

I am sure there are enough environmental factors to cause this, but as people weigh in on this, there doesn't even seem to be a common thread on this site as to a cause.

I sure would like to know what caused it though.

George

Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
Light a man ON fire and he's warm forever.

08/08/08...RC neo bladder
09/09/09...New Hip
=
New Man! [/size]

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14 years 1 month ago - 14 years 1 month ago #30311 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic Brand new here, with a stupid question.
OK. I checked and found this study.


BPH risk related to Bladder Cancer

After reading it however, I'm still not convinced. The population they used was only men whom were hospitalized for BPH. I think a more relevant sample would be people who got bladder cancer to see if they had BPH prior.

Also hard to tell about their observation about the TURP patients having a higher risk of Bladder Cancer. Why would that be? UNLESS, those that needed TURP had more significant blockage (those would be the ones more inclined to get a TURP). If there was a way to measure the amount of blockage or the amount of urine retention in BPH patients, that might be an indicator.

The way the study states things it kind of implies that the TURP itself would increase the risk of bladder cancer and that's just plain silly. There has to be an underlying cause of getting the TURP (versus just dealing with things) and my guess is the frequency/urgency/retention issue.

I know that's why I was going to get a TUMPT (mocrowave procedure to reduce prostate constriction on the urethra). Basically, my BPH symptoms were way worse to live with than the bladder cancer symtoms. Of course if ignored the cancer, it would have become a much worse situation.

It seems at the least, a case could be made to inform BPH patients with urinary retention issues of the symptoms of bladder cancer which would potentially lead to earlier diagnosis. I know I had about a year or two of UTIs that weren't UTIs before finally being diagnosed with CIS.

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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14 years 1 month ago #30308 by Nix
Replied by Nix on topic Brand new here, with a stupid question.
I agree, it is all factors that contribute to BC. Smoking is right up there, and coming from a "steel town" I am sure environment played a big part and let's not forget "genes". My brother was dx'd with BC two years before I was. Even though I quit smoking 20 years ago, both parents smoked and as mentioned above the pollution from the steel mills, I guess it would be incredible if we didn't have BC :woohoo:
Doctors have said it could be pollution because we both grew up in the same environment, but I still feel "genes" played a big part.
I guess if they could pinpoint the cause a cure wouldn't be far behind :laugh:

Nancy

Nancy S
Ta CIS
dx Ta 11/06
dx Ta CIS 10/07

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14 years 1 month ago #30306 by rudyskier
Replied by rudyskier on topic Brand new here, with a stupid question.
:S I must say that I think Mike is truly on to something with his BPH theory.

By the way I am sorry that you are so young and have to deal with all this, but your youth and the fact that you are not ignoring your curcumstance is a pure indicator that you will overcome this.When I was first diagnosed I pondered the question of smoking and a whole host of other popular causes and could really not put my finger on anything that should have led to BC.

Back to BPH: I smoked when I was young just for a few years in my mid-20s and quit took it up again around 30-32 and then quit for good. But, I know I had some BPH problems on and off going as far back as 40 years old, I did not seek treatment until I was in my 50s. I was diagnosed with BC at 58 years old. My diet was always good, lots of veggies, fruit, not too much meat etc. Always an athlete runner, biker, swimmer and sponsored age group triathlete for a number of years in my 30s and 40s.

So, I wonder if there is some group out there that could do a clinical study (it would take years) and see if there is some validity to the BPH theory?

Any way I wish you all the best of luck and my advice is not to dwell on the cause right now and stay on top of those 3 month check-ups and do everything you can to maintain good health. Exercise, eat right, plenty of rest etc. That way you give your body the best chances of successful treatment.

My 2 cents

Rudy

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14 years 1 month ago #30304 by StarraeAday1
Replied by StarraeAday1 on topic Brand new here, with a stupid question.
I do understand that smoking is not the only factor, in case it sounded like that. I was just saying that I don't smoke, so obviously there are other factors.

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14 years 1 month ago #30303 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic Brand new here, with a stupid question.
You are correct Jim. Smoking is considered the primary risk factor.

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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