Vivian’s story: facing bladder cancer with strength and support of community

In the fourth video of the series “5 Women, 5 Experiences,” we meet Vivan, a 50-year-old from Johannesburg, South Africa who shares her journey with bladder cancer.

Vivian’s journey with cancer began in 2018 when she noticed occasional bleeding, prompting her to seek medical attention. Initially, the diagnosis was cervical cancer, leading to an operation to remove her cervix. After the surgery, Vivian was relieved to be declared cancer-free.

Two years after her initial recovery, Vivian began experiencing severe abdominal pains. Alarmed by the recurrence of her symptoms, she underwent further medical examinations. The tests revealed that the cancer had returned, this time manifesting as a mass in her bladder. Following a diagnosis with Stage 4 bladder cancer, her doctors recommended a treatment plan consisting of six rounds of chemotherapy. Vivian started her chemotherapy regimen in 2023, bravely enduring the side effects and the emotional toll of battling cancer once again.

By sharing Vivian’s story of hope, we highlight the wider challenges women face with bladder cancer. This effort seeks to support and empower women facing bladder cancer.

Together, we are advocating for increased awareness and action on issues women encounter when faced with a bladder cancer diagnosis and fostering a world where every woman’s health journey is acknowledged and supported.

We invite you to learn more about our “5 women, 5 experiences” campaign here.

If you want to learn more about bladder cancer, visit our bladder cancer information pages or contact our member organisations closest to you.