World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2022 – Taking bladder cancer patient’s voice forward

The second World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum brought together our community in Paris and virtually. This year’s Forum was a milestone event for our international community. Both because we got to get together for the first time in person and as we shared advance insights from our first bladder cancer patient and caregiver survey.

This year’s theme, ‘Taking bladder cancer patients’ voice forward’, was a stepping stone for action. The theme recognises the need for international multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve common goal of improving the lives of people affected by bladder cancer no matter where they live in the world.

Over the two sessions, we saw presentations, discussion and engaging conversation.

WBCPC Executive Director, Alex Filicevas presented the results from the Global Bladder Cancer Patient & Caregiver Survey. This was followed by a discussion with Dr Ashish Kamat, Chair of the Expert Advisory Committee on highlights of the emerging findings:

The discussion was followed by a multi-stakeholder panel. The conversation featured a patient advocates, medical society, healthcare professional and industry perspectives regarding more concrete ways on taking patient’s voice forward.

Dr Lydia Makaroff moderated the discussion invited four speakers to share their perspectives.

• Liesbeth de Boer-Oosterhuis, Leven met blaas- of nierkanker, Netherlands

“Women should be alert that during menopause, they are often misdiagnosed in primary care setting. Symptoms in females are commonly attributed to infections or gynaecological issues which delay diagnosis and treatment.” 

• Dr Ignacio Durán, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Spain

“Patient groups have a role in the whole structure of treatment. Healthcare professionals can do so much but cannot cover everything.”

• Sarah Collen, European Association of Urology, Belgium

“Building alliances and partnerships is fundamental. Similar issues are being experienced by other cancer patients, andtherefore the voice of patients must be prominent in networks and policy forums both nationally and internationally.”

• Stephen Head, Astellas, UK

“Bladder cancer is often questioned. This is why awareness is a huge tool regarding that disease. We need to keep talking about it and raise our voices about the risk factors and symptoms.”

The recording is available on our WBCPC YouTube channel.