Urological Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment
According to the WHO, 15% of the cancer deaths among women are due to breast cancer. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment have saved the lives of many women from succumbing to this killer disease. Still, the only course of treatment for breast cancer is mainly by chemotherapy and radiation, both of which have chronic side-effects like urinary and bladder problems. Unfortunately, the bladder or urinary tract infections caused by chemotherapy drugs are continual and persist even after the treatment is over. This is why every breast cancer patient is advised to undertake a urology doctor consultation simultaneously to prevent such troublesome side-effects.
What kind of urinary and bladder problems are caused by breast cancer treatment?
Normally, breast cancer treatment involves chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation treatment, etc. Each of these therapeutic methods uses toxic chemicals or powerful radiation to burn the cancerous cells. This indirectly irritates the urinary system causing urinary and bladder problems in the following manner.
- Breast cancer treatment uses anti-estrogens to stop the growth of cancerous cells in the breast. This causes a change in the estrogen level in the body, resulting in vaginal atrophy and dryness. This causes urinary and bladder problems in breast cancer patients.
- The urinary bladder is also sensitive to estrogen. The change in estrogen levels due to chemotherapy may hence cause urinary tract infections in breast cancer victims and survivors.
- Chemotherapy drugs like Tamoxifen also damage the bladder cells and kidneys due to their potent chemical content.
- Women undergoing breast cancer treatment undergo immuno-suppression and are hence easily prone to urinary tract infections.
Why does breast cancer treatment cause urinary and bladder problems?
To understand this, we must first recognize the importance of estrogen for the urinary and bladder health of women.
Estrogen is known commonly as the female sex hormone. But apart from its sexual function, estrogen plays a major role in keeping the urinary system healthy. Estrogen keeps the pelvic floor muscles healthy and pliable. It also maintains the elasticity of the urethra which is the tube carrying the urine from the bladder out of the body.
Now, when a woman undertakes breast cancer treatment, her estrogen levels fall. This causes the pelvic muscles to weaken and make the urethra more stiff and less elastic. All of this can lead to urinary tract infections. This is why almost all breast cancer victims or survivors are asked to opt for a urology doctor consultation along with breast cancer treatment.
Symptoms of urinary tract infections in women undergoing breast cancer treatment
Women undergoing breast cancer treatment experience a lot of urinary irritation and bladder discomfort due to chemotherapy drugs like the one mentioned below.
- Urinary urgency
- Urinary incontinence or leakage
- Cystitis - pain or burning when you pass urine
- Pain in the back, sides or abdomen
- Blood seen in the urine
- Fever and chills
Ways to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections during breast cancer treatment
Women undergoing breast cancer treatment can reduce urinary and bladder problems and the risk of urinary tract infections in the following ways.
- By drinking plenty of water and fluid - at least 2 litres per day
- Emptying the bladder before and after sex
- Preventing vaginal dryness by using creams and moisturizers
- Performing pelvic floor exercises learnt from a trained specialist
- undertaking treatment after urology doctor consultation
- Taking oral medicines prescribed by the expert urologist.
- Surgery if absolutely necessary and only on specialist's advice.
Why urinary and bladder problems are neglected by women undergoing breast cancer treatment?
Women who undergo breast cancer treatment are often embarrassed to reveal their health problems and side-effects to the doctor or their family members. This is why urinary and bladder problems are neglected by women undergoing breast cancer treatment. But this can prove fatal as repeated urinary tract infections may result in total kidney failure, requiring kidney replacement also. This is why it is always best to simultaneously have a urology doctor consultation along with breast cancer treatment to prevent such major mishaps.
Urology doctor consultation is a must for women undergoing breast cancer treatment and should be done without delay.
