Gender Differences in Bladder Cancer Symptoms and Treatments

In this video interview with Uro Today, Elizabeth Guancial explains gender differences in bladder cancer symptoms and treatment. Dr. Guancial explains that women typically experience longer diagnostic delays than men, often receiving multiple antibiotic courses or gynecological workups before urological referral. She notes that once diagnosed, women tend to more thoroughly consider all treatment options, while men may quickly reject certain interventions. The conversation explores how treatment decision factors differ by gender, with older female patients less concerned about sexual function but more worried about being a burden to family. Dr. Guancial shares her experiences as a female oncologist, finding that patients expect more detailed discussions and longer appointments with her compared to male colleagues. Both physicians discuss the challenges of implementing bladder preservation strategies, particularly for elderly patients.