BCG -- is it really an option?

Kimberly,

You have a GREAT attitude. The 2nd TURB is just to be sure there is no mucsle involvement. You probably are way ahead on the curve on figured that out. My URO as well as many other posters have added BCG cuts down the possibility of it coming back. It certainly beats chemo and it's side effects and I believe immunotherapy such as BCG someday will be the answer to beat cancer.

Lots of hope and positives as I am 2 1/2 years out and many here are further down the road in beating it!

First off in the terms a conditions it says you have to post about trips in chit chat when you get back so we can live vicariously through you. Not really but we really like hearing the good stuff also.

Whenever I have to make a treatment decision I research the heck out of it until I know I understand what I am dealing with. Then I ask myself what are my best options that gives me the best chance of beating this thing?

What the National Cancer Institute has to say about it with additional research links

www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/bladder/HealthProfessional/page6

What a maker of BCG has to say about it and its side effects

www.ticebcg.com/Consumer/bladderCancer/index.asp

www.ticebcg.com/Consumer/aboutTice/index.asp

Dr. Lamm is thought to be the father of BCG and there is belief that a reduced dose for some might be affective with fewer side effects. Your Uro could consult with him on it and amounts.

www.bcgoncology.com/drlamm/

Dr. O’Donnell of the University of Iowa does a lot of research on other agents used instead of BCG. Again your Uro could confer with him.

www.uihealthcare.com/depts/med/urology/research/bladdercancer/bcginterferonalphastudy.pdf

www.uihealthcare.com/depts/med/urology/urologymds/odonnell.html

You are doing the right thing you are being your own best advocate.

I am sure this will get you going but not right now, get out and enjoy the sun shine there is time to figure this out.

Keep us updated

There are many, many of us here on the Forum who have been through BCG and are doing GREAT. There are moments of being "uncomfortable"...but compared to friends who have had chemo and radiation for other cancers, it is minor. Yes, there are a minority who have a bad time. (Have you read the side effects of any drugs you are taking? SCARY....to the one in a thousand who has the side effect.)

I felt, when diagnosed with CIS, that there was no choice. BCG gave me a good chance of keeping my bladder. Am through with it as of mid-September, doing great, and hope to continue. IMHO, doing nothing is not an option.

Sara Anne