Alcohol and bladder cancer?

Hi Kathy. I like a beer, so one of the first questions  asked my consultant. He said a few beers should do no harm, but stick to real ale and avoid the mass produced and gassy stuff such as lager.  These can contain chemicals. Didn't ask about spirits. So after each of my chemo sessions (neoadjuvant) I had a couple of pints. That was just me, but I think everyone needs to ask individually depending on treatment. Best wishes. 

Since my diagnosis I've avoided alcohol (very difficult over the Christmas period) plus all carbonated drinks. I have had the occasional real ale, again dismissing gassy liquids. I think sometimes I go over the top but I don't want to trigger any irritants to the bladder, rather be safe than sorry. That goes for some foodstuffs as well.

Hi Kathy, can't be much personal help ref alcohol and bc. My poor OH [the one with bc] has had to give up alcohol due to lifetime antibiotics post 'gross sepsis' in his previously badly damaged leg in 2020. Relieved not to have lost his leg he accepts it fine. But while I'm sure your gin'n'orange may be lower carb than the San Miguel, basically alcohol still counts as carbs and so does the orange juice. While I appreciate it's about quantity as well thought I should say.

I think with anything it can be a matter of balance. As he's never worked with any of the chemicals usually blamed for bc, we blame the decades of various necessary cocktails of anti-epileptic drugs combined with an unrecognised liver enzyme anomaly which means some will have gone through under-processed, to mingle in his bladder until emptying year after year. So as none of us can have a totally nontoxic intake it depends what else you have to or choose to take.

We have most things organic now to reduce the pesticide load. But I do recognise it's expensive for many.

Denby

Hi Kathy, I was a smoker for 30 years, so I'm sure it was nicotine (or the many other toxic chemicals in cigarettes) which caused my bladder cancer. I had already given up by the time I was diagnosed, but I still liked a glass or two of wine every evening (3 bottles a week?). During my BCG treatment I became obsessive about my fluids intake, drinking two litres of water or squash a day in addition to tea/coffee. I stopped drinking any alcohol at all during weeks I was actually having doses (3 weeks every 3 months for 2 years) because I was too busy knocking back water for England! Alcohol is very very dehydrating so I have found myself less and less drawn to it. The less you drink the less you want to drink has proved a truism for me. I have lost about half a stone of weight (all from my midriff) simply from reducing booze. I now have a glass or two (or occasionally even 3!) on a Saturday evening but rarely any other day. I just don't want it anymore. Docs have told me the same as Rily.....a glass or two is absolutely fine. I always celebrate an all-clear cystoscopy by raising a glass to my continued  good health! Sending you best wishes for good health too. Hxx

Whatever the trigger factor for your cancer, it is usually something in the past or your genetic makeup. However, boosting your health can certainly help in dealing with cancer, either combatting the disease itself or coping with the treatment. Nothing wrong with alcohol in moderation, but do stick to the guidelines for maximum intake. Try to up your exercise/activity levels too - that will also have beneficial effects.

 I’m with you mole35. I do like alcohol, and drink way over the medical guidelines.
Lager mainly (partial to a San Miguel myself), but wine too.

I don’t believe alcohol to be a cause of my bladder cancer though. Think it was just bad luck as I’ve never smoked or worked in an environment that might have been a cause.

I had my bladder removed and a NeoBladder created 2 years ago, and still drink way above the medical guidelines.

What I’m saying is, for me, bladder cancer has made no difference whatsoever to my alcohol intake. Apart from, of course, the few months after the RC.

cheers
Chasam

Thanks to everybody for their input ... I won't be imbibing when I begin my mitomycin course and I don't drink everyday. Interesting to hear others ideas and experiences. x

Mr. W is getting biopsy results tomorrow and we have just opened a second bottle of red wine 

We enjoy a glass of red 4 days a week and have 3 dry days normally However in stressful times we do over indulge at least in the eyes of the temperance brigade 

All the best

Wilbert

ps enjoy a San Miguel  on holiday in the sun. xx

Hi Kathy, I am 2 years in with my urostomy and I have not drunk one drop of alcohol.  I use to love a good few glasses of wine with friends. I drunk lots of tea too but now the only thing I will drink is water.

Just after my op, I suffered with Acute Kidney Injury and was rushed to hospital. I nearly lost my life.  So I just stopped and I don't miss it. However it is a very subjective thing I think and there is nothing to stop ostomates having a wee dram if they have not been advised not to.

Love Inanna x 

My husband has BC and hasn't been advised to avoid alcohol.  Don't think it was mentioned actually.  He meets friends once a week for 2 or 3 pints and over a week we probably drink 1 or 2 bottles of wine between us plus a large gin and tonic each.  

On holiday we will drink alcohol every day  - we're never drunk but there comes a time in your life where you think what's the point of limiting things we enjoy?  We try to stick to healthy eating and exercise and don't smoke - but my husband has been a smoker in the past.