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Feeling anxious about on-going bladder cystoscopies. Does it get easier over time?

jimbobee8240
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Hello all,

                 My name is Jim, I'm 78 and i was diagnosed with bladder cancer in June 2024. I've now had a TURBT and a course of mitomycin C chemo and I'm a bit anxious about ongoing regular bladder cystoscopies ( to date I've found them pretty uncomfortable and I'm not looking forward to any more).

                Can anybody tell me from experience do urologists tend to get more sympathetic and gentle with cystoscopies after chemo ?

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    Hi Jim, 

    A big welcome to our forum! I am sorry to hear you've found the cystoscopies uncomfortable and I can imagine this fills you a little bit with fear about having the next one. I hope that you will hear from other members of our community who have had cystoscopies after chemotherapy and that they will be able to tell you whether their experience was more positive after chemotherapy. I think there is no harm though in telling them that you found these very uncomfortable in the past and that you would like to know if there is a way to minimise the discomfort. It might be worth talking to your GP or getting in touch with your urologist so that they know how this is making you feel and hopefully they will bear your fears in mind at the next appointment and do their best to be more gentle. 

    If you would like to talk to one of our cancer nurses about this, feel free to give them a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and they might have some good tips for you or point you in the right direction to help you make sure you feel better next time you need to have a bladder cystoscopy. I hope it will be less uncomfortable for you next time you need to have one. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    hello lucie,

                       Many thanks for that. I now have a new plan for dealing with my worries over cycstoscopies, I will simply ask the urologist to allow more time for the local anaesthetic gel to work before proceeding with the examination (It can't hurt to ask). Of course my hope is that the cancer will not return for a long time (optimism always helps) and that treatment will improve over time.

    All the best

    Jim

  • Offline in reply to jimbobee8240

    That sounds like a good plan Jim - as you say it doesn't hurt to ask or to ask them what kinds of anaesthetic/pain relief options are available to you to make it more pleasant given your anxiety. Don't feel shy about telling them how uncomfortable you find these and if they have any suggestions that may help. 

    I am sharing your optimism in wishing you that the cancer will not return and treatments do certainly tend to improve over time!

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Hello again lucie,

                                  Thanks for that.  I'm now much more confident that I can take some control during cystoscopies (overcoming my previous feelings of helplessness would be a great improvement). Today is my last session of mitomycin C chemo followed by a new cycle of cystoscopies, so I can now go forward with quite a lot more confidence.

    Best regards

    Jim

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