Were you exposed to any of the classic bladder cancer risk factors?

Hi there,
Lucky me was diagnosed with high grade urothelial cancer /CIS & rare small cell cancer. 66 yrs, non smoker. I have been anaesthetic nurse for over 20 years. So anaesthetic gases? Also exposed to diathermy machine plume over many years. Only in last 5 years in Australia do Surgeons use smoke extractor & a lot continue not to use this equipment. So who knows. Off course the health system refuses to acknowledge link & risk.

I was diagnosed at 63 in 2023 with high grade muscle invasive bc. No family history and a life long non smoker although I was overweight for the last 20 years. I worked in the World Trade Center exposure zone, 2 blocks from the Trade Center. I was lucky to have been on a path train that was diverted away from the WTC and was not exposed to the dust cloud after the towers fell. We were back in the office ~ 3 weeks after 911. The cleanup went on for a very long time.

35 years as Automotive mechanic. No family history of bladder cancer. Exposure to the chemicals, paint fumes, exhaust gas from working on vehicles now I cant work as a mechanic. Ughhh

67 years old, 33 year former smoker - started smoking at a very young age and continued for 20 years. Had 5 or 6 keratin / formaldehyde hair straightening treatments in a 6 year period. These treatments are now banned in California and there are many class action suits pending. Most likely the smoking, but the exposure to formaldehyde I am sure did not help. My journey is just beginning, TURBT is 2/2.

@141emp That’s a tough one - sorry to hear> How are you getting on now?

I'm a 77-year-old Vietnam Veteran exposed to Agent Orange, but also a smoker. I was diagnosed with NMIBC 13 months ago. My cancer is high grade aggressive.
My mother had MIBC. She did not smoke.

I am 80 year old female who this past summer was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I had begun smoking heavily (was a chimney actually) but had stopped 40 years ago. Also, as a result of having endometrial cancer, after surgery I had 33 minutes of radiation treatment to my pelvis which I know can contribute.

The doctors tell me the body has a long memory and I can believe this. Oh, if we were aware how dangerous smoking was at that time, I think those of us who smoked would have opted not to. However, as we have seen - there are many amongst us who never put a cigarette to their lips.

Sending my very best wishes to all the good and courageous people in this support group. May 2026 be sprinkled with hope and added joy which we all need.

@janine1991 I am so sorry. This is terrible to digest. I wish you hope and strength. So not fair.

I was a moderate smoker for nearly twenty years but quit about 40 years ago. Diagnosed with bladder cancer when I was 79, almost 81 now. TURBT and subsequent BCG treatment and maintenance has kept me NED for the last year. I’m sure my smoking contributed to the cancer.

Female diagnosed at age 54 in 2024 with MIBC. Never smoked anything in my life, not a drinker, never worked with dyes or anything chemical. No frequent UTIs and genetic testing showed no predisposition. My urologist said I simply had bad luck. 🤦‍♀️

Thankfully after RC and immunotherapy I've been clean, so maybe my luck isn't so bad after all. 😊