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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
After your treatment has finished, your doctor will want you to have regular check-ups. These will usually take place every 3–6 months at first, and you’ll continue to have them for several years.
If you have any new symptoms, or symptoms which have come back in between appointments, especially blood in your urine, let your doctor know straight away.
The most important test is a cystoscopy| to monitor how well your treatment has worked and to check that no new cancers are growing in your bladder. A cystoscopy is where a specialist nurse or doctor uses a cystoscope (a thin tube with a camera and light on the end) to look at the inside of your bladder. Some people may also have their urine checked for cancer cells.
Most follow-up cystoscopies are done in the outpatient department under local anaesthetic.
If you have early bladder cancer that has a low risk of coming back, you’ll probably have a cystoscopy three months after your treatment has ended and then again six months later. After this you’ll usually have one every year until your specialist decides to discharge you. If you have a higher risk of your cancer coming back, you’ll probably have more frequent cystoscopies and will be followed up for longer, possibly for life. It depends on your individual situation and your specialist will explain more about this.
For people whose treatment is over apart from regular check-ups, we have more information about life after cancer treatment|, exercise|, your feelings| and how to give up smoking|. This information has useful advice on how to keep healthy and adjust to life after treatment.
The cancer will come back in the bladder in 5–7 out of every 10 people (50–70%). If the cancer does come back, it can usually be surgically removed while it’s still in the early stages. You can also have treatment with chemotherapy| or BCG| given into the bladder, even if you’ve had it before. Early bladder cancer that comes back in the bladder can still be cured or controlled for a long time.
In a small number of people with early bladder cancer, the cancer can start to grow into the muscle layer of the bladder. This is known as invasive bladder cancer. If your cancer becomes invasive you may be advised to have surgery| to remove your bladder (a cystectomy). The aim of treatment will still be to cure the cancer. Some people may have radiotherapy| to treat the cancer instead of surgery. Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells.
After your treatment is completed, you’ll have regular check-ups to keep an eye on the health of your kidneys and ureters. These check-ups will also look for any signs of the cancer returning (recurrence).
If you’ve had a partial cystectomy or radiotherapy, you will have regular cystoscopies|. If you’re a man whose bladder has been removed but you still have a urethra, you’ll have regular tests (urethroscopies) to check the urethra. You’ll also have regular scans to check for cancer recurrence. These will continue for several years.
Many people find that for a while they get very anxious before appointments. This is natural. It may help to get support from family, friends or a support organisation| during this time. If you have any problems, or notice any new symptoms in between check-ups, let your doctor know as soon as possible.
After cancer treatment many people need time to come to terms with the changes that have happened in their lives.
Our information on life after cancer treatment| gives useful advice about adjusting to life after treatment. Some people decide that they want to make positive choices for their health and well-being. We have information on eating well|, building physical activity into your daily life and giving up smoking| that you may find helpful.
If you need to go to the toilet more often or more urgently, a card is available that you can show to staff in places like shops or pubs. The card allows you to use their toilets without them asking awkward questions. You can get the cards from the Bladder & Bowel Foundation|.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.