Bladder cancer survivor lives to tell the tale

                                                                                                    Alan, NSW

You see, I thought I'd got away with it.

At school, it looked like a good idea to smoke. It was "cool". Or "with it", as we said in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Later, when I was at university, to smoke a pipe, made you look like a graduate or don ...long before you were. And it really was pleasant. Much nicer then cigarettes. And it couldn't do you any harm, could it?

I had a plan. I was going to smoke for a few years and then quit. Perhaps in my late thirties. Long before any health problems would show up. And that's just what I did. After marrying, getting a good job with a major government organisation as a research scientist and having children, I quit in 1982. It wasn't too hard after the first few weeks. And it saved a fair bit of money.

Oh yes, there was a couple of years of worry in case any lung cancer symptoms or similar showed up. But by the time I got to the 1990s, I'd got away with it. Or so I thought.

In 1994 the problems started. One morning I peed blood. The next day it had gone and I thought I must have had a bladder infection. A few days later it was back and I saw my local GP. He ordered tests and referred me to a urologist.

The diagnosis was clear: I had bladder cancer. Not even the early stages, but a fully developed growth. I'd probably had it for 10 years. A series of sessions of surgery later, (cystoscopy, using a TV camera and laser knife up the penis and into the bladder), the problems seemed to be under control... at least for a while. But then, again, in 1996 the growth started in a big way.

This time it took several weeks in a Sydney hospital (350kms from my home) during which my bladder and prostate were completely removed. I was lucky in that a new operation had become possible during the previous year, re-constructing the bladder using a part of the intestines. At least, I probably wouldn't have to wear an external bag.

So, where does all that leave me?

On the bright side, for the last 3 years I've been free of any signs and symptoms. I hope that, at last, I may be able to lead a near-normal life. However the operations have left me impotent and in need of penile injections for sex. But they are only partially successful.

Financially, I am about $8000 out of pocket (for all the necessary "extras" at the hospital), as well as all the trauma of the operations and the continuing worry about half-yearly tests for the rest of my life.

Both of my urologists gave the opinion that my problems were "almost certainly" caused by smoking, both of cigarettes and a pipe. Even though I had stopped sixteen years before the symptoms became apparent. I'm told that this is not untypical.

So how do I feel? First, I wish I'd never smoked and caused myself these problems. Certainly the "pleasure" derived, even from the pipe, wasn't worth it. Secondly, I'm very angry at the tobacco companies who sell - and continue to sell - a product that is now know to cause massive health problems. And, thirdly, I'm almost as angry at the governments of our country for deciding that the revenue raised from tobacco sales justifies the continuing sale.

My advice? Of course, it's "don't smoke" - nor expose yourself to others passive smoke. At 20 you may feel immune, but the you'll probably live to be 40. And it's then that the problems may start. There are so many good things to do - and things to spend your saved money on - that you've got to be some sort of an idiot to stick dead, burning leaves in your mouth. Just forget it.

NOTE: Alan who lives in NSW is available for media interviews and can be contacted through ASH Australia.

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Page last updated on 13/11/2001