The effects of cancer are far-reaching. Even after active treatment, cancer survivors face challenging mental and physical health issues.
Cancer treatments can wear a person’s body down. The long-lasting effects of chemotherapy and other therapies are called late effects of cancer treatment. The effects can occur years after a person has completed their treatments. For example, some may experience spinal cord damage, including paralysis, due to radiation from lung cancer.
People with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are at a higher risk of bladder cancer. Bladder management after an SCI is integral. The objective is to maintain an infection-free genitourinary system. Maintaining a healthy upper and lower genitourinary system prevents possible infections.
To achieve a healthy genitourinary system, therapy is provided to help build a management system that successfully manages acceptable bladder drainage with minimal urine storage. Sometimes, a catheter may be used to help. Continual use of catheters increases the risk of health issues, including cancer.
Another issue that paralysis can create is urinary tract infections. Frequent urinary tract infections decrease the bladder’s overall health and may increase the risk of bladder cancer, too.
Several types of treatments are used to eradicate cancer cells from the body. The standard treatment for bladder cancer can vary based on the stage and type of bladder cancer a person is diagnosed with. Many people undergo chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or different therapies.
All cancer treatments have side effects. While many will feel immediate side effects after they receive a treatment, some may experience late effects of cancer treatment.
Cancer patients and survivors are also at an increased risk of moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Soon after COVID-19 vaccinations became available, many cancer treatment centers ensured patients could receive the vaccines. Cancer treatment centers did so because cancer patients are at a higher risk of infection because their immune system is compromised due to treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that cancer survivors get COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Many cancer treatment centers offer on-site vaccinations to help cancer patients and survivors.