In 2023, I faced a life-changing challenge – a battle with bladder cancer. This unexpected journey, marked by early recognition and unwavering determination, reshaped my perspective on health and resilience.
Originally from Mumbai, I now call Singapore my home. During a routine visit to the city, I decided it was time for a full health checkup. At 41, prompted by a gentle nudge (more like a push) from my wife, I opted for a comprehensive evaluation to make sure I was on the right track.
While I’ve always aimed for a balanced lifestyle—good work-life balance, moderate exercise, and indulgence—nothing prepared me for the news buried in my test results. An inadvertent observation on my bladder imaging report (the presence of a tumor) sparked a whirlwind of consultations and medical jargon.
Everyone’s advice was clear. I had to undergo an operation called Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor or ‘TURBT’. Once the tumor is removed, it will be sent for a biopsy to test for malignancy.
One of the key decisions was which doctor or hospital to choose for TURBT.
While seeking a different opinion, I met two doctors. One of them was an experienced head of department at a leading professional hospital in Mumbai.
However, the doctor was very busy and used to speak in monologues and would get angry when asked too many questions. It gave me the impression that he knew what he was doing and that’s why I came to him. His reputation came first.
The second doctor was a young surgeon who took his time to explain everything to me in detail and patiently answered all my questions. He did not work for a particular hospital but gave me a choice of several hospitals where he would perform surgery.
After much thought, I went for a more experienced, monolingual doctor. The entire journey experience, process and my key takeaways are presented here in this article Uttam India.
Taking the first step
At a hospital in Mumbai, I underwent a TURBT procedure to remove the tumor.
Biopsy confirmed the presence of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (grades 1 to 3). The tumor was cancerous but luckily because it was detected early it had not spread to the bladder muscle.
The treatment is essentially over – the tumor is removed, the cancer is no longer in the body.
As part of the protocol for such cases, I was given an injection into the bladder of mitomycin, which is a chemo treatment.
However, after discharge, I had discomfort in passing urine and upon consulting my doctor, I was told that this would resolve on its own and was a common side effect of TURBT.
But after more than a month, I stopped asking my doctor for advice because he had nothing new to say. And the TURBT protocol is the same worldwide. I had to have a cystoscopy every 3 months for 1 year, then one every 6 months for the next 2 years, and then a cystoscopy annually for the next 2 years.
By then, I was back in Singapore, and another small tumor appeared during my first scheduled cystoscopy. The doctor also identified a condition called ‘urethral stricture’ which occurs due to trauma to the urethra during surgery.
Now, I had two things to deal with – another tumor and urethral strictures (probably caused by the monologue-speaking doctor or his assistants during my first TURBT).
The tumor was removed during the second TURBT and its biopsy confirmed that it was benign!
Given my experience with doctors in Mumbai, I was clear that I was going with a doctor in Singapore who had time to answer all my questions – no matter how silly they might seem. I chose the doctor accordingly and the experience was wonderful.
I have realized that a doctor’s skills are important but so is bedside manners.
I have now passed my first year of cystoscopy and am now tumor-free and cancer-free! I was lucky enough to have opted for a preventive check-up. Early detection helped me beat cancer.
Here are the lessons I learned-
- Make regular check-ups a priority to stay ahead of potential health challenges, especially as we age. Considering the lifestyle we lead, the pollution we face and climate change, it may be better to do more checks. I always choose the health checkup package which is for men older than me. The more exams, the more fun.
- Do not rely solely on blood reports as they may not catch early stage problems. Include essential imaging modalities in your check-up regimen to catch abnormalities early. Minimum recommended imaging is ECG, chest x-ray, USG abdomen and pelvis. You can do these once a year.
- Ensure comprehensive insurance coverage to reduce financial burden in case of medical emergency. All my procedures were covered by insurance. Opt for medical cover that covers ‘deductibles’.
- Find more ideas to make informed decisions about your health care. Don’t rush. Not every medical problem is an emergency. More ideas give you clarity and choice. While choosing a doctor – it may be useful to check his/her bio and if the doctor has done some kind of teaching or written research papers in medical colleges, or worked in government/non-profit hospitals. Professionally inclined doctors care differently (to the point, black and white advice) versus other doctors who really do care.
- When choosing a hospital pay attention to the quality of care provided by the nursing staff (bedside conduct). Go to a doctor who has time for you, who answers your many questions with a smile. Half of this battle is mental, the other 50% depends on the skill of the doctor.
- Talk to patients who have undergone similar procedures. In the age of digital media, it is easy to find people who are ready to share their learning and experience.
This article is written by Ninad Raikar, Head of Business Operations at OTT Platform. He is continuing his battle with cancer. All image credits go to the author.
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Edited by Padmashri Pandey.