Closing The Care Gap - Shedding Light on Urinary Bladder Cancers
By - Team VOH
15 Feb 2024
4th Edition National Cancer Conclave - Uniting for closing the care gap supported by AstraZeneca. Shedding Light on Urinary Bladder Cancers: Insights & Awareness.
On World Cancer Day, Voice of Healthcare hosted the 4th Edition National Cancer Conclave - Uniting for closing the care gap supported by AstraZeneca.
With themes of insights and awareness, early diagnosis, different treatments for types and stages of cancer, and most importantly the patient's experience and the journey towards recovery from urinary bladder cancer.
National Cancer Conclave 2024 stresses Maximum Awareness, Timely Diagnosis, and Better Treatment Options Available, with the objective of access to the masses of India.
The topics that went under the discussion were…
● Urinary Bladder: Insights & Awareness
● Timely Diagnosis, Treatment Pathways for types of cancers
● Journey of bladder cancer patients to recovery
Dr. Srivatsa, Consultant Uro-Oncologist and Robotic Surgeon at Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital & Research Centre chaired the session. The session started by Dr. Srivastsa explaining the key function of the urinary bladder i.e., store and excrete the urine produced by the kidney. Later on, he mentioned that there are more than 6,00,000 cases of Urinary Bladder Cancer diagnosed in the world, according to the Global Cancer Data 2022 and India alone contributed about 28,000 of the cases in just 2022. He also focused on the chances of the incidents rising globally by 79% and estimated mortality is 3.4% of bladder cancer. Dr. Srivatsa also talked about the Modifiable and Non-Modifiable risk factors. How tobacco, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Hair Dyes, Artificial Sweeteners, and Vegetables with the use of high pesticides cause high risk for Urinary Bladder Cancer & non-modifiable factors for age, and gender - as males have higher chances of having Urinary Bladder Cancer and chronic Infections.
He emphasized on creating the awareness regarding Urinary Bladder Cancer Symptoms which are, Blood in urine, Frequent Urination, Pain while Urinating, and Pelvic Pain, there are 70% chance the patient can return to normalcy if diagnosed, and treated at early stage of cancer.
The session host Dr. Ruchika Gambhir went on in-depth conversations regarding Non-Muscle-Invasive Cancer which does not spread in the body and blood vessels and stays in the bladder and Muscle-Invasive bladder cancer spreads to the layers and then spreads in the body as well. Also, around 200 patients for non-muscle-invasive cancer & 55-60 patients for muscle-invasive cancer have come to his center this year.
He emphasized that Urinary Bladder Cancer is an ‘Unforgiving Cancer’ as if it is not treated timely all non-muscle invasive cancer will become Muscle Invasive Cancer. Additionally, if non-muscle invasive cancer hasn’t been given maintenance therapy, then there is approximately 78% chance of recurring and can progress to muscle-invasive cancer.
The discussion went to the non-operative way to treat Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer therapy and ‘no cut surgery’ as well. Whereas, Bladder removal surgery and chemotherapies to treat Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer. On the treatment, he also mentioned some side effects of the treatment like frequent infections, high risk of stones, weakness, numbness in legs, and feet, loss of appetite, bowel problems, etc are some them.
He further added that Psychologists, Nutritionists, and Dieticians can work together to help, gear up the morale of the patients and lead them to be a less complicated life.
To summarize the session
● Modifiable Risk Factors can be amended to lead a better and healthier lifestyle.
● It is always better to understand the early signs and then take timely action to prevent the risk of spreading the cancer.
● If treatment is not done timely the non-muscle invasive bladder cancer progresses to muscle invasive bladder cancer.
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