A dad has told how he dismissed signs of his terminal cancer as the lingering side effects of a UTI. 

Chris Cotton, from Sandbach in Cheshire, initially contacted his GP in October 2022 after suffering pain passing urine and needing to use the toilet more often. 

The now 50-year-old drank cranberry juice — often touted as a remedy for UTIs — and was prescribed antibiotics and the pain disappeared. 

But just months later it returned suddenly and after repeat trips to his family doctor the public service worker was eventually referred to a consultant last year.

In January, tests showed the father-of-two had muscle-invasive bladder cancer, where the tumour has grown into or through the muscle layer of the bladder wall.

Scans then revealed it was stage four — the most serious kind that means it’s spread elsewhere in the body — and he was given between a year and two years to live. 

Now, Mr Cotton is urging others not to be put off seeking help for potential signs of the disease. 

Recalling how the initial signs were dismissed he said: ‘I went to the doctors, and explained what was going on, they took some urine samples and gave me some antibiotics.

Chris Cotton, from Sandbach in Cheshire, initially contacted his GP in October 2022 after suffering pain passing urine and needing to use the toilet more often

The now 50-year-old drank cranberry juice — often touted as a remedy for UTIs — and was prescribed antibiotics and the pain disappeared

‘That seemed to work, it kind of went away for a while. A few months later, the pain came back, I did all sorts.

‘I would drink cranberry juice, thinking that would flush through whatever was causing the pain, but that didn’t have much of an effect.’

After being referred to Leighton Hospital in Crewe by his GP, CT scans revealed he had a growth on his bladder. 

During the biopsy doctors removed a 10cm tumour from the bladder. 

Mr Cotton added: ‘I prepared myself that it could be cancer. After the doctor left, it hit me, and I was upset for a while.

‘It was really raw, but I have to accept the situation I am in, I have very little control.’

Then, on January 3 — just a day after his 50th birthday — he was given the bad news.

He said: ‘The cancer had already spread to my pelvic lymph nodes and to a blood vessel near the bladder.

In January, tests showed the father-of-two had muscle-invasive bladder cancer, where the tumour has grown into or through the muscle layer of the bladder wall

Now, to raise money for The Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Care Centres Trust, he will be taking part in a Tour De 4, Sir Chris Hoy’s fundraising charity bike ride — a 56-mile bike ride in Glasgow on September 7

‘The oncologist said it was incurable.

‘I asked what time frame we were looking at, it is a question that nobody wants to ask, and nobody wants to answer.

‘She said that if we accept that the cancer is spreading, and other options don’t work, I would be looking at 12 to 24 months.’

He added: ‘This devastating news came as a huge shock — not just to me — but also to my incredibly strong and supportive wife Hannah, and our two wonderful young daughters aged 12 and 14.

‘Our world changed overnight to a world of learning new things about cancer, hospital appointments and difficult conversations with family and friends.

‘I was upset at that point, your mind starts racing, if I only have 12 to 24 months left to live — what do I do?

‘There are things I wanted to do in my lifetime, places that I wanted to see.’

Each year about 5,000 people in the UK die from bladder cancer, which affects 10,000 annually. If spotted early it can usually be cured using surgery or drug therapies.

In 2020, artist Tracey Emin revealed she had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. She underwent operations to remove her bladder and other pelvic organs, and is currently cancer-free

In 2020, artist Tracey Emin revealed she had been diagnosed with it. She underwent operations to remove her bladder and other pelvic organs, and is currently cancer-free.

However, if the disease spreads into surrounding organs then it almost always becomes incurable. 

As well as blood in urine, bladder cancer symptoms include more frequent and painful urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, incontinence and abdominal pain.

It is linked to smoking and is three times more likely to occur in men than women.

Experts say the lack of awareness, stigma around symptoms, few treatment options and the fact it’s wrongly seen as a disease of the elderly means bladder cancer had become known as a ‘Cinderella disease’ — passed over on research funding, celebrity-endorsement and public awareness. 

In January, Mr Cotton began six cycles of chemotherapy at The Christie Hospital, Manchester, in an effort to prolong his life.

Now, he has also decided to raise money for The Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Care Centres Trust, who has supported him and his family throughout his diagnosis.

He will be taking part in a Tour De 4, Sir Chris Hoy’s fundraising charity bike ride — a 56-mile bike ride in Glasgow on September 7.

Last month he set up a GoFundMe page for the challenge. To date it has already raised over £2,200.  

He said: ‘When I heard that Sir Chris Hoy was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, I thought how he showed that life does not end with your diagnosis.

‘His approach to his diagnosis inspired me.

‘Cycling has always been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember, from racing in town centre sprints as a young teenager to competing in Extreme Iron Distance triathlons.

‘It is a pastime I have sought great solace which has helped me mentally and physically in tough times.’