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Information for Patients and Caregivers
Treatment-related Urine Leakage
What is cancer and treatment-related urine leakage?
Following cancer treatment, you may experience
dribbling or loss of urine. This may be worse
for surgery patients immediately following such
surgery as for prostate, colorectal and uterine
cancers. For individuals who have radiation treatments,
it may take longer to notice.
What happens when you experience treatment-related
urine leakage?
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You need to urinate more often
than you normally would.
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You may dribble or leak urine
without control.
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Once you feel the urge to urinate,
you may have problems waiting to get to the
bathroom.
What causes treatment-related urine leakage?
Loss of urine is usually a result of surgery
or radiation to the pelvic and lower abdominal
area.
How do people cope with treatment-related urine
leakage?
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Begin a bladder training program
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Keep a diary to record
where you are and what you are doing when
the urinary leakage occurs. BE sure to record
if leakage was due to the inability to get
to the toilet in time and the amount of
urine lost (small, medium or large amount).
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Go to the bathroom every
2 hours while awake.
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Sit upright on the toilet,
massage your stomach above your pelvic bone
or lean forward on your thighs to put pressure
on your stomach
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Practice pelvic floor muscle
exercises (Kegel exercises).
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Squeeze pelvis floor muscles
shut as tightly as possible and hold for
10 seconds
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Relax completely for 10
seconds.
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Repeat this cycle 10 times.
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Do 10 cycles twice per day.
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Wear Attends, Depends or other
incontinent pads until your leakage is under
control.
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Clean your skin after each
episode and apply a cream such as A&D ointment
or Aluminum paste.
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Carry extra pads with you when
going out. You may want an extra pair of underwear
and slacks with you in case or leaking from
the pad.
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Limit fluid intake before going
out and before going to bed. When away from
home, try to stick to your every 2 hour bathroom
schedule.
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Avoid beverages containing
caffeine, because caffeine makes you go to the
bathroom more (acts as a diuretic). These include
dark colas, Mountain Dew and coffee.
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If urine control does not improve,
talk to your doctor about other options.
What can family or friends do to help with cancer
treatment-related urine leakage?
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Your family can help by assisting
your with your bladder training program.
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Offer reminders to use the
bathroom every 2 hours.
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Help remind you to have extra
pads and garments when you are away from home.
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Prepare and offer foods high
in fiber to prevent constipation, as this can
add to urine leakage problems.
What should I report to my doctor or nurse?
Where can I get more information?
References:
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Fultz NH, Herzog, AR, (2001)
Self-reported social and emotional impact of
urinary incontinence. Journal of the American
Geriatrics Society, Jul; 49(7): 892-9.
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