Hi, hope you can answer my question.
I've just.started my 1st bcg maintenance therapy for bladder cancer and my 3rd session will be on 23rd September then there's a gap before my next flexi cystoscope.
I've received a message from my local surgery to book a flu vaccine and I was wondering if I can go ahead and if so, how long a gap should I leave after my last treatment.
Thanks in advance
Anne
Hi Anne,
Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Sarah and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists.
I hope you are getting on okay with the BCG treatment.
That’s a good question about timings for having the flu vaccine.
The British Association of Urological Surgeons advise that there is some evidence that BCG treatment can interact with influenza vaccine and recommend it should not be given within 6 weeks of having an instillation of BCG.
However, it would be a good idea to get in touch with your urology team at the hospital as they may have their own preferences or policies around timings for the flu vaccine.
I really hope this information was helpful. Please know, you can always give us a call to talk things through further.
Take care and best wishes,
Sarah (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email or use webchat.
Ref: KS
