Whether you’re currently undergoing treatment for bladder cancer or are in remission, you may wonder whether drinking alcohol is safe. You might miss your usual evening glass of wine or feel unsure about going to happy hour with friends. It’s a common concern, and you’re not alone in asking these questions.

In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between alcohol and bladder cancer and whether drinking is considered safe after a diagnosis.

Is It Safe To Drink Alcohol During Bladder Cancer Treatment?

Many people who are going through cancer treatment, or who have completed it, continue to drink alcohol. In fact, recent studies show that drinking is fairly common among people living with bladder cancer, including those undergoing treatment and those in remission. But when it comes to bladder cancer, what does the research say about the risks?

Cancer Treatment and Its Side Effects

While there isn’t much research on how alcohol directly affects bladder cancer treatment, some studies link alcohol consumption to a higher risk of death from certain cancers and suggest that it may interfere with certain treatments, such as radiation therapy. Researchers are still learning more about how alcohol might affect other types of treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

If you’re currently in treatment, drinking alcohol may make some side effects worse. When you drink, alcohol is broken down by your liver, and drinking too much can cause liver inflammation. Some cancer drugs, especially chemotherapy, are also processed in the liver. If your liver is already inflamed, it may not break down these drugs properly. This can increase side effects such as nausea and dehydration.

If you’re experiencing mouth sores as a result of treatment, alcohol can also irritate them further and slow healing.

Surgical Complications

One area with more available research is how alcohol use affects bladder cancer surgery. A radical cystectomy is surgery to remove the bladder. Drinking alcohol before the surgery may make complications more likely.

Although the study focused on alcohol use before surgery, it shows how drinking can affect your body’s ability to heal and recover from major procedures. This is an important topic to bring up with your surgical team, especially if you have any upcoming surgeries related to bladder cancer.

Effects of Alcohol on Your Bladder

If you’re living with bladder cancer, you may already be managing changes in how your bladder works. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it encourages your body to produce more urine and lose fluids. As a result, you may notice that you urinate more often or feel a stronger sense of urgency.

After your body flushes out a lot of fluid, alcohol can make your urine more concentrated and leave you feeling dehydrated. This may irritate the lining of your bladder and increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Because alcohol can worsen urinary symptoms or raise your risk of infection, you may choose to avoid it, especially during or shortly after treatment.

What About the Risk of Cancer Recurrence?

For many people living with bladder cancer, one of the biggest concerns after treatment is whether the cancer might come back. So, does drinking alcohol increase the risk of recurrence?

According to the American Cancer Society, drinking during or after cancer treatment may raise concern, especially because alcohol use is linked to a higher risk of additional cancer diagnoses. That cancer risk increases even more when alcohol is combined with other factors, such as smoking.

Your immune system plays a key role in helping prevent cancer from returning. One of its jobs is to find and destroy potential threats, including cancer cells. Drinking alcohol can weaken the immune system, making it harder for your body to protect itself.

Does the Type or Amount of Alcohol Matter?

You might be wondering if it matters what kind of alcohol you drink — beer, wine, or spirits — or if having an occasional drink is safer than drinking more.

All alcoholic drinks, no matter the type, contain ethanol (a type of alcohol). When your body breaks ethanol down, it creates a chemical called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde can interfere with how your body repairs DNA and may increase inflammation, cell damage, and the risk of certain cancers.

So while no specific alcoholic drink is better than another, you may want to consider nonalcoholic alternatives.

Because alcohol is specifically linked to other types of cancer, it may be best to limit the number of drinks you have if you’ve been diagnosed with bladder cancer. The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center recommends that women only have one drink per day, while men have no more than two.

Talk to Your Doctor

The most important thing to remember is that everyone’s health situation is different. Your treatment plan, medications, overall health, and personal risk factors all play a role in deciding what’s safest for you, including whether or how much you drink.

Being open with your healthcare provider about your alcohol intake can help them:

• Better understand any symptoms or side effects you’re experiencing
• Make informed choices about your medications and dosages
• Recommend the right tests or follow-up care
• Offer advice tailored to your treatment and overall health

Your care team is there to support you, not judge your choices. If alcohol is part of your life, sharing that information helps your oncologist or provider give you the best possible care. They want to help you feel your best and get the most benefit from treatment.

Make the Decision That’s Right for You

While research on alcohol and bladder cancer recurrence is still limited, we do know that alcohol can cause long-term damage in the body and may make it harder to fight off cancer. For some people, these risks may outweigh the desire to drink. For others, having an occasional drink may feel acceptable, especially with guidance from their doctor.

This isn’t a decision you have to make once and never revisit. Your relationship with alcohol may change at different points in your treatment or survivorship journey, and that’s completely normal. What matters most is keeping the conversation open with your healthcare team, so they can continue giving you care that fits your goals and your life.

If you’re concerned about your alcohol use or finding it difficult to cut back, know that support is available. Talk with your doctor about your concerns, and ask for a referral if you need extra help. Your health and well-being are the priority, and you don’t have to face these decisions alone.

Join the Conversation

On MyBladderCancerTeam, people share their experiences with bladder cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How have your drinking habits changed during and after bladder cancer treatment? Let others know in the comments below.