ItB次元官网网址檚 not a subject everyone is comfortable talking about B次元官网网址� but Brian Williams is willing to speak up to encourage people to live healthier and to help others catch cancer early.

Williams, 71, is a bladder cancer survivor and now speaks on behalf of the Bladder Cancer Canada Awareness Walk, the an event happening Sept. 26. He says the issue tends to be quite personal for some people, not unlike how it was with prostate cancer B次元官网网址� until people found the courage to talk about it.

B次元官网网址淧eople generally donB次元官网网址檛 like to talk about this stuff,B次元官网网址� the Sidney resident said, adding that can be disastrous if a problem is left too long.

The first indication that something was wrong was when he found blood in his urine. After a series of tests and an ultrasound exam, a tumor was found.

Williams admitted he was naive about the entire process and didnB次元官网网址檛 know where to turn or who talk to about the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

B次元官网网址淲hat I liked was that my doctor didnB次元官网网址檛 trivialize it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey took it seriously and they made me feel like I could do this.B次元官网网址�

He began treatment right away.

As his doctors told him the extent of the disease, Williams underwent surgeries to try to get rid of the cancer. The first wound up damaging his bladder, which required a six-hour surgery to remove it and replace it with a portion of his intestine. Williams said itB次元官网网址檚 a relatively common procedure related to bladder cancer.

The recovery, however, was long and tough. He said his body had to re-learn how to pee B次元官网网址� by recognizing different signals from his makeshift bladder. It was hard, he admitted, but he did it and now, about nine years later, heB次元官网网址檚 living his life to the fullest.

B次元官网网址淲e have some excellent medical services on the Island. I want people who are going through what I did, to know that there are experts here they can talk to.B次元官网网址�

Williams counts himself among those experts, although from a very personal point of view. He offers his experience and expertise to other bladder cancer patients on the Island who might be facing the same uncertainty.

B次元官网网址淲hen I went through this, I found there was no support. There was nobody I could go to, like some of the other cancer groups out there.B次元官网网址�

After mulling over the idea of starting his own support group, Williams opted instead to go to his doctor and offer his time as a mentor to others. What he can do, he said, is offer advice as best he can.

B次元官网网址淚 know what I went through and I didnB次元官网网址檛 know who to call. This is a bit of a payback thing for me.B次元官网网址�

Williams also hopes to spread the word about the Awareness Walk. Last yearB次元官网网址檚 event drew a small group of people, but heB次元官网网址檚 hoping to see that grow this year.

Williams said heB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to the event, and talking to people who might be in need of support. Since his treatment, heB次元官网网址檚 rowing regularly and has gotten himself into pretty good shape.

B次元官网网址淏ottom line, you can have a full life after bladder cancer,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ou can be as active as you want to be. Just set some goals and it can get you through this.B次元官网网址�

The walk takes place Saturday, Sept. 26 at Clover Point Park in Victoria. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10. ItB次元官网网址檚 about education and awareness, Williams said, noting itB次元官网网址檚 also a fundraiser with a goal of beating the $5,000 raised in 2014.

For more details about the Walk, visit or call 1-866-674-8889.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com