Expanding access to bladder cancer patient information: factsheets now available in Italian

When you or someone you love has bladder cancer, you need clear information. It is much harder to find when it is not in your own language. Every year, 614,298 people around the world are diagnosed with bladder cancer, and many of them speak a language other than English.

That is why the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) has created 10 factsheets in Italian, in partnership with Associazione PaLiNUro, our member organisation in Italy. The factsheets are for people affected by bladder cancer in Italy, Switzerland and Italian-speaking communities around the world. We are grateful to PaLiNUro for sharing their knowledge and their experience of supporting patients in Italy.

The factsheets explain bladder cancer in simple words. They can help you spot the warning signs early and feel more confident when you talk to your doctor or nurse. You can read them at home, share them with your family and take them to your appointments.

What the factsheets cover

• Cos’è il cancro alla vescica? (What is bladder cancer?) What bladder cancer is, how it grows and why finding it early matters.
• Riconoscere i sintomi del cancro alla vescica (Recognising the symptoms of bladder cancer) The signs to look out for. The most common sign is blood in your urine. If you see it, always see a doctor.
• Comprendere i fattori di rischio del cancro alla vescica (Understanding the risk factors of bladder cancer) What makes bladder cancer more likely, such as smoking (the biggest risk) and contact with certain chemicals. It also gives simple steps to lower your risk.
• Il tumore della vescica nelle donne: sfide uniche (Bladder cancer in women: unique challenges) 1 in 4 people with bladder cancer are women, but women are often diagnosed later. This factsheet covers the signs to watch for, the tests used and how treatment can affect sexual health, fertility and emotional wellbeing.
• Cos’è la TURBT? (What is TURBT?) Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT) is a common operation to find and remove tumours in the bladder. It is done through the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body). This factsheet explains how to prepare, possible side effects and recovery.
• Che cos’è il tumore della vescica non muscolo-invasivo (NMIBC)? (What is non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer?) Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) means the cancer has not grown into the muscle wall of the bladder. This is the case for 70–75% of people diagnosed. This factsheet explains stages, treatments and check-ups after treatment.
• Comprendere il trattamento con BCG per il tumore della vescica (Understanding BCG treatment for bladder cancer) Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a treatment that helps your immune system (your body’s natural defences) fight NMIBC. This factsheet explains how it works and what to expect during and after treatment.
• Che cos’è il tumore della vescica muscolo-invasivo (MIBC)? (What is muscle-invasive bladder cancer?) Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) means the cancer has grown into the muscle wall of the bladder. This factsheet explains the tests and treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery to remove the bladder, and the care that follows.
• Domande chiave per il tuo medico o infermiere (Key questions to ask your doctor or nurse) Questions to take to your appointments, so you can understand your diagnosis and take part in decisions about your care. It also shows how to get support in Italy from PaLiNUro.
• Comprendere i termini medici nel tumore della vescica (Understanding medical terms in bladder cancer) Simple explanations of the medical words you may hear during diagnosis and treatment.

Visit our factsheet library to find bladder cancer information in other languages. Please share the Italian factsheets with anyone who may find them useful.

Would you like to help translate our factsheets into your language? We welcome patient organisations and advocates who want to work with us. Please get in touch.