Living Beyond Bladder Cancer

Living Beyond Bladder Cancer

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MSK has many programs designed to support bladder cancer survivors physically and emotionally for as long as you need.

At Memorial Sloan Kettering, we know that even after you’ve finished bladder cancer treatments, you may still need our help. We’re committed to supporting you in every way we can — physically, emotionally, spiritually, and otherwise — for as long as you need us.

We’ve built a program designed for cancer survivors and their families. Our Adult Survivorship Program has many services for you and your loved ones, including support groups, follow-up programs, educational resources, and more.

Plus, our Resources for Life After Cancer program offers individual and family counseling, lectures and support groups, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues, among other services. Visit the Adult Survivorship Program to learn more.

Rehabilitation and Exercise

Cancer treatment can sap your strength, flexibility, mobility, and endurance. Our rehabilitation specialists can teach you therapeutic exercises and training programs that can help you heal. Our state-of-the-art facilities are specially tailored to the needs of people who’ve undergone treatment for cancer.

Learn more about how we can help you get moving again.

Supportive Care and Pain Management

At Memorial Sloan Kettering, we focus on all aspects of comprehensive cancer care, not just treating the disease. Our specialists in supportive care can help you cope with the side effects of therapy. These include pain, nausea, and fatigue. We can also help with the emotional and spiritual needs that often come up during and after cancer treatment.

Learn more about how our Supportive Care Service can help you throughout the cancer experience.

If you are in pain during your treatments or even after they’re over, we have pain specialists who can help. We will build a plan that makes sense for you and your needs. Our experts can work with your doctor and pharmacists to give you solutions for both acute physical pain, which comes on suddenly, as well as chronic pain, which can linger. Our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible.

Learn more about how we can relieve your pain.

Counseling and Support

Sometimes, you and your loved ones just need someone to talk to, someone who’s trained to help you make sense of your experience before, during, and after treatment for cancer.

Our Counseling Center offers both individual and group counseling sessions to help you and your family cope with disease in general. These sessions can be a healthy, productive way to work through the stress and anxiety that are sometimes a part of treatment and recovery.

Support Groups

We offer various forums for you and your family to discuss challenges and solutions surrounding bladder cancer treatment specifically. You can participate in periodic group meetings led by social workers, nurses, or peers to discuss changes in physical functioning, appearance, lifestyle, and self-image, as well as fatigue, isolation, and concerns about the future. Learn more about our in-person and online support groups.

Patient volunteers can also provide helpful support and important information; contact Richard Glassman at 646-422-4658 for more information.

Learn more about how we can support your emotional well-being.

Integrative Medicine

Medical treatments — chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery — are often the best way to treat your cancer. Their whole purpose is to get you healthy again. But at MSK, we know that complementary services can also help soothe and heal not only your body but also your mind and spirit.

Our Integrative Medicine Service can be a valuable part of your formal treatment plan. Programs we offer include massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation, visualization, music therapy, and nutritional counseling. Formal classes include yoga, Tai Chi, and chair aerobics.

Learn more about the variety of complementary services we offer.

Nutrition

Many people with cancer have questions about diet and nutrition. Our food and nutrition team is trained in helping you understand and cope with a variety of conditions relating to cancer treatment.

Our expert dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy that can help you manage digestion problems, changes in taste, your weight, and other issues. They’ll work closely with your treatment team to customize a dietary plan that fits your own specific needs.

Learn more about our nutrition services for patients and survivors.

Dermatology and Skin Care

We understand that the side effects of cancer treatment that affect your physical appearance can be as upsetting and uncomfortable as any other symptoms you may have. Our dermatology experts can help you manage conditions that affect the health and appearance of your skin and, in some instances, even help prevent them from developing in the first place.

Learn more about how we can help you keep your skin healthy.

Older Patients

Cancer and its treatment are a challenge for anyone, regardless of age. But if you’re over 65, you may face unique issues that affect people only in your age group. We’re committed to providing cancer patients of all ages with the treatment, facilities, and support they need.

Your treatment team will include healthcare professionals who have the specialized training and experience to effectively treat older patients. Every aspect of your care — diagnosis, treatment, recovery, support — will be tailored to meet your particular needs.

Learn more about how we care for older patients.

Female Sexual Health

Treatment for bladder cancer can affect your sexual health. Vaginal dryness and pain during sex are common side effects. If you experience any of these side effects, let Memorial Sloan Kettering help. Through our Female Sexual Medicine and Women’s Health Program, you’ll be connected to a specially trained counselor who can help you find solutions to issues affecting your sexual health.

Learn more about how we can help you with sexual health issues.

Male Sexual Health

The doctors and nurses of our Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program can help you manage potential sexual side effects of bladder cancer treatment.

Learn more about how we can help you with sexual health issues.

Tobacco Treatment

Beyond the many other health issues it causes, tobacco use is a serious risk factor for bladder cancer and can also make treatments less effective. If you smoke, we want to help you stop — now — to reduce your risk of developing a second cancer or impairing your treatment.

The Tobacco Treatment Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering is ready to help if you’re ready to quit. Giving up tobacco is hard. And quitting while in treatment presents a unique challenge. But it’s a challenge you can overcome, and we can help you do it. We’ll also help family members who want to quit with you.

Learn more about how we can help you quit using tobacco for good.

Request an Appointment

Call 800-525-2225
We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week