Risk of recurrence at 3mths: confusing stats!

Hi Bluebear21. I think most of us have looked at the stats at some point, but some of us who have been around for many years believe there is nothing much in the figures. Everyone is different and I believe it is just down to pot luck. Some people never have a recurrence while other have multiple. We know that out of all cancers, bladder cancer has one of the highest rates of recurrence, which is why we have regular follow ups. I was told the reason it is more likely to have a recurrence very early is that not all was removed in the first stages because microscopic abnormal cells were not detected. It was likened to weeds in the garden. You can pull them up and make everything look good, but if you don't kill every last microscopic root, they will return. Best wishes.

Hi rily

Thanks.  I think we are on the same page re. Weeding the garden and the challenge of eradicating all errant cells with the TURBT.  I also agree that there is a limit to how much stats can tell you. I am a dreadful ‘over thinker/over analyser’.

Have a good day.

Blue

Hi bluebear21

I had my first turbt and mitomycin in April. Like you I am terrible over thinker. I had pTa G2 papillary tumour which was about the size of a 10pence.

I asked the same questions to my consultant but he wouldn't give me a definitive answer which frustrated me at the time but I can now see there are so many variables. What he did say is "you no longer have cancer and stand a good chance of living to 90, but you have a higher chance than the average person of having cancer again in 3 months or 12 months time"

Hope that's helpful.

Sending love

Clare

Hi Clare

Thanks for your response to this and my initial post.  I can understand your consultant’s approach.  Like you I would have been frustrated if I had not been provided with the information I had asked for.  I do think as adults those of us who wish to have such formation, where it exists,  have a right to be given it but I also do see from the side of the health professionals the view that some patients can get too hung up on data and data which is possibly only accurate to a point and in any case can’t predict future outcomes for an individual patient.  I actually think what you were told was a very positive and sensible way to look at things and it is what I have been telling myself, as I recover from my TURBT: ‘at least as of now, I probably dont have cancer and until I know anything different why should I worry so much, or at least worry any more than the next person’.  

in your other response you mentioned how much we have been through and you are right.  Yesterday I wanted to take myself off to our local small seaside town and have a mooch about, get a coffee or ice cream and just chill but you know what - and i can’t tell you why - I felt guilty so I stayed home and did housework but today, I think I am going to go, so thank you.

I hope you are recovering well and that news is good when you have your check.

Blue xx

Hi blue

I know exactly what you mean, I'm back at work but on a phased return. Meaning I'm working 8.30-2.00 (still working from home). I also have great plans of what I'm going to do when I finish at 2 but instead feel guilty and stay home. I've got to say I have decorated more these past weeks than I have in my life! Ha ha 

The seaside is good for the soul, you're lucky to live nearby (I live on the border of Leicestershire/Lincolnshire) no seaside for me but I have lots of rolling countryside to enjoy instead. 

Enjoy your coffee and sea air. Take care.

Sending love

Clare