Urinary problems after chemo

Dear Granny10,

Thank you for getting in touch, and welcome back to our online community.  My name is Lisa, and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.   I can see that you also belong to our travel insurance forum.  I hope that you are finding this forum supportive and a way to share experiences. 

I’m really sorry to hear how difficult things have been for you since your chemotherapy for your breast cancer.  It sounds very painful and understandably frustrating, especially after such a tough experience with your first treatment.

It is good that you discussed your symptoms with your oncologist, and we would always recommend that you do so with any new, worsening, or changing symptoms or potential side effects of treatment.  It is concerning, however, that the oncologist said that as it was 6 months after your treatment, your symptoms should have resolved.  I’m curious as to whether your oncologist made any suggestions as to why you might be experiencing these symptoms and whether a referral to a specialist would be beneficial.   

Sometimes cancer treatments can cause long-term changes in the way the bladder works.  However, as we aren’t part of the NHS, we wouldn’t have access to your medical records.  Therefore, we wouldn’t know which chemotherapy drugs you were given and whether this treatment could have caused the symptoms that you’re experiencing.  Some drugs, however, can irritate the urinary tract or damage the cells in the bladder and urethra, while other drugs can damage nerves that control the bladder.

If your breast cancer treatment included treatments to reduce oestrogen levels, these treatments, too, can cause urinary problems by weakening pelvic floor muscles, leading to incontinence.  The reduction in oestrogen may cause symptoms, such as urinary leakage, increased urgency and frequency, pain or burning, and discomfort or irritation.

While interstitial cystitis might be one possible cause, there can be others, which is why seeing a specialist is important.   If your GP hasn’t already checked whether you have some sort of an infection, like a urinary tract infection, a suggestion is that they do so.

You might also ask your GP for a referral to a urologist if they are unable to explain your symptoms.  A urologist would be able to investigate further as to why you are experiencing such debilitating symptoms.  It can also be helpful to keep a bladder diary to share with your doctor.

I hope that you’ve found this information helpful.  However, we often find that we can help more by exploring these questions over the phone. You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts.  Phone free on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) or send us an email.

Take care and best wishes,

Lisa R

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref/GH/LiR