Essential
- Mainly affecting people over the age of 60 and men, bladder cancer is the 7th most frequent cancer in France.
- According to a recent survey, autonomy, sexuality, professional life and mental health of patients, who are only 12 % to benefit from suitable care, are strongly impacted by this disease.
- “Beyond medical treatment, a whole life must be taken into account, with its professional, intimate, social and psychological dimensions.”
It is the 7th most frequent cancer in France. The bladder cancer, a cell disease lining the bladder mucosa, mainly affects, people over the age of 60 and men in more than 81 % of cases. During the evolution of disease and treatment, a degradation of certain aspects of quality of life is observed by patients, but often remains invisible in the eyes of the general public. This is what an investigation carried out by OpinionWay for the Merck company, in collaboration with the French Urology Association (AFU), the Cancer Vessie France, the French -speaking association of oncological care (AFSOS) and Roseup,
Bladder cancer: “sexuality is often the great forgotten in care”
According to the results of this survey, relating to the responses of 149 patients and 207 health professionals, 86 % of people with bladder cancer undergo fatigue that compromises their autonomy. In addition, 83 % note repercussions on their intimate life and more than 50 % of active patients have seen their professional life transformed. A significant psychological impact has also been reported by 79 % of patients.
However, support remains insufficient. And for good reason, these daily challenges are supported in a suitable manner in only 12 % of patients and only 36 % have received psychological support. “Sexuality is often the great forgotten of care. And yet it is a major plan for quality of life. We must dare to talk about it”said Professor Yann Neuzillet, urologist at Foch hospital. Same observation for professional activity, “which is not a luxury but sometimes a vital necessity. (…) Beyond medical treatment, it is a whole life that must be taken into account, with its professional, intimate, social and psychological dimensions.”
Support treatments helping patients “live in the best conditions” are underused
Although support care, such as adapted physical activity (APA), nutrition, psychology support or physiotherapy, are real pillars of global management, the latter are underused by adults suffering from bladder cancer. “This is all that we put around the main treatment so that it is as effective as possible and that the patient can live in the best conditions. A good diet, a little exercise before and after an operation, it changes everything. The body recovers faster, the complications are less, and morale is strengthened. For informed patients, these care represents more comfort, more autonomy, more serenity”, concluded the professor.
