How to Improve Bladder After Bowler Cancer

Transcription

1 Bladder changes after bowel cancer treatment This information is from the booklet Managing the late effects of bowel cancer treatment. You may find the full booklet helpful. We can send you a free copy see page 6. Contents Bladder changes Possible effects of treatment Managing bladder changes Urinary incontinence Looking after your bladder Bladder changes Some people have problems with bladder control after treatment for rectal cancer. Changes also happen as the bladder muscles age so they are more common as people get older. The bladder is a stretchy, muscular bag that collects and stores urine. It s in the lower part of the pelvis. The bladder connects to the kidneys (which produce urine) by tubes called the ureters. You pass urine from the bladder through a tube called the urethra. Questions about cancer? Ask Macmillan Page 1 of 6

2 The bladder and kidneys Adrenals Right kidney Right ureter Left kidney Left ureter Bladder Urethra Possible effects of treatment When it is relaxed, the bladder stores urine. It then contracts to expel urine. The effects of treatment may mean that the bladder needs re training. Surgery Sometimes an operation to the rectum can affect the nerves to the bladder. These nerves control the muscles that hold urine in the bladder. They also tell the muscles to squeeze to empty the bladder. Nerve damage can cause loss of bladder control. This can lead to leakage of urine (urinary incontinence). Or, it may cause difficulty in emptying the bladder (incomplete emptying). Page 2 of 6 Questions about cancer? Ask Macmillan

3 Radiotherapy Radiotherapy (using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells) to the bowel often causes bladder symptoms. These usually get better within a few weeks. It s not common for radiotherapy to cause long-term changes to the bladder. But a few people may have changes to the way their bladder works several months after treatment. Bladder symptoms due to the late effects of radiotherapy can include: needing to pass urine more often than usual a burning sensation when you pass urine (like cystitis) being unable to wait to empty your bladder (urgency) leaking urine (incontinence) blood in your urine (haematuria) difficulty passing urine. If you have any of these symptoms it s important to have them checked by your doctor. Blood in the urine should always be checked by a doctor straightaway. We have more detailed information about bladder changes due to radiotherapy. You can read about this in our booklets on managing the late effects of pelvic radiotherapy. Managing bladder changes Bladder problems can be embarrassing and difficult to talk about. You may also worry about going out and socialising. But there are many things that can be done to manage symptoms. We ve included some information about these in the following pages. It s important to talk to your doctor if you re having problems. They can refer you to a specialist in bladder control problems. This may be a urologist, a urology nurse specialist or a continence nurse. Questions about cancer? Ask Macmillan Page 3 of 6

4 You can also find helpful advice in the chapter coping with bowel and bladder changes in our booklet Managing the late effects of bowel cancer treatment. Sometimes nerve damage means the bladder muscle can t squeeze strongly enough. This results in the bladder not emptying completely. The most common symptoms of this are: difficulty passing urine straining to release urine a delay in starting to pass urine a weak stream of urine repeated urine infections. If you have any of these symptoms, it s important to get them checked. They can lead to problems that are more serious if they are not treated. There are other common conditions that can cause problems with the bladder emptying. This can include an enlarged prostate gland in men, or some medicines. Your symptoms may not be related to your cancer treatment. Your doctor or continence specialist will do tests to find out the cause. This will help them to give you the best treatment or advice. Urinary incontinence Urinary incontinence can vary. For some people it means leaking a few drops of urine when sneezing or coughing. For others it may mean a total loss of control over passing urine. A continence specialist can assess the type of incontinence you have. They can recommend the appropriate treatment depending on the cause of the incontinence. Your continence specialist will give you advice. You may be given exercises to strengthen the muscles that are important for bladder control. These are called pelvic floor muscle exercises. They can also help with bowel control. You can read more about them in our booklet Managing the late effects of bowel cancer treatment. If you are training an overactive bladder, don t go to the toilet just in case. The bladder won t fill completely and it won t get used to holding more urine. Page 4 of 6 Questions about cancer? Ask Macmillan

5 There are specialist products for incontinence. They can help while you are waiting for a diagnosis or for a treatment to work. There is more information in our booklet Managing the late effects of bowel cancer treatment. The Bladder and Bowel Foundation can also offer advice and support (visit bladderandbowelfoundation.org or call ). Looking after your bladder Drinking too little will make your symptoms worse as concentrated urine irritates the bladder. Drinking more trains your bladder to hold more urine, reduces the irritation and your risk of getting urine infections. Try to drink at least two litres (three and a half pints) of fluids a day. This is about eight glasses. If it s hot or if you re exercising, you need to drink even more. It s best to drink small amounts regularly throughout the day. Drink the right fluids Try to drink water, diluted fruit juice and herbal teas. You should cut down on or avoid: fizzy drinks drinks with caffeine (tea, coffee, cola and cocoa) alcohol (especially spirits) acidic drinks (such as fresh orange or grapefruit juice) drinks with artificial sweeteners ( diet or light drinks). Managing stress may also help to improve your symptoms. You can read more about this in our booklet Managing the late effects of bowel cancer treatment. Questions about cancer? Ask Macmillan Page 5 of 6

6 More information and support More than one in three of us will get cancer. For most of us it will be the toughest fight we ever face. And the feelings of isolation and loneliness that so many people experience make it even harder. But you don t have to go through it alone. The Macmillan team is with you every step of the way. To order a copy of Managing the late effects of bowel cancer treatment or any other cancer information, visit be.macmillan.org.uk or call We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up to date but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist professional advice tailored to your situation. So far as is permitted by law, Macmillan does not accept liability in relation to the use of any information contained in this publication, or thirdparty information or websites included or referred to in it. Macmillan Cancer Support Registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Registered office 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ REVISED IN August 2015 Planned review in 2018 Page 6 of 6 Questions about cancer? Ask Macmillan