Bladder Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, May 17, 2024

Welcome to the Bladder Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with bladder cancer or caring for someone with bladder cancer. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

Feel free to browse the topics, use the group search to find answers to your questions or start a new discussion.

Pull up a chair. Let’s start with introductions.

What type of bladder cancer were you diagnosed with? What treatments have you had? How are you doing?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.

charlessomervill | @charlessomervill | Nov 29 12:44pm

Hi, I'm Charles Somervill. I've had two surgeries, intermediate stage for both. I finally took BCG after the second; resisted the first. All clear after 6 weeks. I'm now scheduled for BCG, 3 month intervals, for 3 weeks at a time. I wonder whether longer intervals are common and advisable?

linda0234 | @linda0234 | Nov 29 4:08pm

My name is Linda Marlin from Columbus, Ohio, 75 years of age. I had three tumors in my bladder, one of which was a low grade non-invasive carcinoma. I had surgery and then had treatments via catheter every Friday for 6 weeks and completed the treatment October 31, 2025 with a follow-up cystoscope scheduled for December 17.

I joined this group to learn more about this cancer and risks of reoccurrence. I never had any symptom. My primary physician was concerned with my lab results showing a trace of blood in my urine which was totally unrelated to the cancer and he ordered a Urogram, sent me for a cystoscope and lo and behold three tumors.

Linda Marlin

talltxlady | @talltxlady | Nov 29 4:27pm

In reply to @charlessomervill "@talltxlady What month intervals for BCG follow-ups?" + (show)

Hello @charlessomervill after induction (first 6 weeks) mine were always once a week for 3 weeks, every 3 months. At the very end one time I got a 6 month break, but otherwise it was quarterly for 3 total years for me.

jaxfl | @jaxfl | Nov 30 5:52pm

No. BCG has a finite duration.

bobt8 | @bobt8 | Dec 7 7:02pm

My new is Bob and I was newly diagnosed with bladder cancer in May of this year. I had my right kidney and right ureter removed a couple of weeks ago and had staples removed last week. The cancer was encapsulated inside of the ureter so the surgery to remove the kidney and ureter in theory removed all of the lo grade noninvasive tumor. However, I have developed a very painful and swollen right testicle. The doc checked me out last week and didn’t seem to be overly concerned but the swelling and pain has gotten a bit worse so a call is in order.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Thanks,
Bob

jaxfl | @jaxfl | Dec 8 9:51am

I have not! With doc do you mean the oncologist or urologist? The latter is better placed to answer and review. They usually do an ultrasound to figure out what is going on. I did have severe scrotal pain as a symptom of my MIBC in 2025-08. It self-resolved.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 8 7:48pm

In reply to @jr1466 "@colleenyoung Hi! Overall pretty smooth recovery after 17 days. Small blood clot maybe once a day..." + (show)

@jr1466, all the best with starting BCG. If you go to the Bladder Cancer group page and search for BCG, you will find several related discussions:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/bladder-cancer/
When do you have your first treatment?