BLADDER CANCER in Pilot Group
I have recently been diagnosed with BLADDER CANCER. This was discovered on a routine urine test for an unconnected reason. I have had no symptoms. The tumour has been removed and I am undergoing a course of treatment that will continue for three years provided the cancer does not reappear.
A colleague of mine, who has had a similar career pattern, is in the same position and as a result of attending these treatments I have discovered that the hospital has several other pilots with the same condition. It’s all too many to be just co-incidence.
My career was 32 years in BA longhaul, retiring at age 55, I am now 61. When we were having regular medicals, we had a urine test that may have checked for blood in the urine but I expect that this was introduced at some time during our careers. The nurse mentioned that they get referrals from pilots that have presented blood in their urine test.
Since retirement I had not had any routine urine tests, but it would seem prudent to have this done regularly in the light of my experience
It does appear to me that there may be a high incidence of BLADDER CANCER among full career pilots who are now in retirement. The test is simple and the treatment is localised in the bladder. Doing nothing can allow it to spread with serious consequences. Advanced stages, but bladder contained, can be treated by bladder removal.
FELLOW RETIREES, I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO DICUSS THIS WITH YOUR GP AND GET THIS CHECKED EARLY RATHER THAN WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO APPEAR.