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It depends what treatment you have.
If you are treated for superficial bladder cancer you will be able to enjoy a normal lifestyle. You will need follow up cystoscopy examinations every 3-12 months to make sure the cancer hasn’t come back.
If you have your bladder removed it will take around 6-9 months for you to make a full recovery.
You will need either to have a new bladder made inside your body, or to wear a urostomy bag to collect your urine. This will take time to adjust to, and you may need to make some changes to your normal lifestyle – but there is no reason why you can’t enjoy life, and do most of the things you did before you had cancer.
If you have radiotherapy to try to cure your cancer, you should be back to normal within 3-6 months. You will need follow up cystoscopy examinations every three months for at least a year, and less often after that.
Your doctors will talk with you about what may happen in your case. If you have any questions or worries, please don’t be afraid to ask.
