Two years ago, at 36, I faced a diagnosis I never imagined: bladder cancer. As someone who has lived a physically active and healthy lifestyle, the news came as a shock. I was a young man in Northern Ontario, working as an aircraft mechanic — a job I loved. Little did I know my occupation put me at a higher risk for this disease.
When I first noticed blood in my urine, I brushed it off. It didn’t hurt, so I told myself it was nothing. Months passed, and the symptoms didn’t go away. When I finally saw a doctor, the diagnosis was precise: a high-grade papillary carcinoma. Within 24 hours, I underwent surgery, followed by weeks of immunotherapy treatments.
Bladder cancer isn’t just a disease that affects older men, as it is often perceived. It is the fifth most common cancer in Canada and can strike anyone.
While age is a risk factor, exposure to certain workplace chemicals — like those I encountered as a mechanic — is another. Awareness is critical because the earlier bladder cancer is caught, the better the prognosis.
Unfortunately, many Canadians, like me, fail to recognize the signs. For me, it was discomfort in the pelvis and blood in the urine. Other warning signs include feeling the need to urinate often or urgently, lower back pain or pain in the pelvis, weight loss, loss of appetite and difficulty urinating.
The physical challenges of cancer are significant, but so are the emotional and social effects, especially around the holidays. I quickly learned that being treated as a person, not just a patient, makes a difference. Too often, well-meaning friends and family focus on the illness: “How are you feeling?”, “When’s your next appointment?”, “Are you experiencing side effects?” These questions come from a place of concern, but they can feel overwhelming.
I appreciated it when people warmly greeted me with phrases like, “It’s so nice to see you!”, “I’ve missed you!” — or anything not tied to my health. It allowed me to feel normal for a moment and reminded me I was more than my diagnosis. The best gift anyone gave me during those moments was the chance to step out of my reality and simply enjoy time with loved ones.
For families gathering this holiday season, I encourage caregivers and friends to foster a sense of normalcy. Avoid focusing solely on the illness. For parents, this can mean talking to children ahead of time, preparing them to understand that their loved one might not be able to do the things they used to, like playing hide and seek, wrestling, or going for family hikes. I have two nieces who struggled with this — they missed their uncle who used to play and run around with them. Helping children adjust their expectations can ease everyone’s stress and create a more positive atmosphere.
Following my diagnosis, I discovered a new sense of purpose through advocacy. I now volunteer with Bladder Cancer Canada, a national organization dedicated to supporting patients and raising awareness about bladder cancer.
This holiday season, Bladder Cancer Canada is launching its campaign, “No one is alone on their bladder cancer journey,” which aims to highlight the unique challenges bladder cancer patients face, particularly during this time of year. As part of the campaign, the organization is encouraging donations to directly fund patient care and tailored support programs.
Bladder cancer is underfunded and under-discussed. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. We need better public education, more robust occupational health protections, and increased funding for research. And we need to eliminate the stigma and misconceptions surrounding this disease.
Bladder cancer doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anyone — young or old, active or not. I hope that by sharing my story others will recognize the signs, seek help early, and feel empowered to demand the care they deserve.
To learn more about Bladder Cancer Canada or to make a donation, visit bladdercancercanada.org.
