Chris Cotton and his wife Hannah. (Image: Chris Cotton / SWNS)
Chris Cotton, a 50-year-old from Sandbach, Cheshire, was diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer in January 2025, with doctors giving him a prognosis of 12 to 24 months to live’.
Cotton first noticed symptoms akin to a UTI in October 2022, including painful urination and frequent trips to the loo.
After self-treating with cranberry juice and receiving antibiotics from his GP, his symptoms seemed to subside temporarily.
However, the discomfort returned, leading to numerous GP appointments and prescriptions until January 2024. It was then that Chris, who works in public service, was referred by his GP to the oncology team at Leighton Hospital, Crewe.
Following a CT scan and biopsy, he was diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He was given a prognosis of 12 to 24 months and is currently undergoing chemotherapy in an attempt to extend his life.
Married Chris from Sandbach, Cheshire, revealed: “The cancer had already spread to my pelvic lymph nodes and to a vessel near the bladder.
“As a result, the prognosis was very poor with the oncologist estimating that I have approximately 12-24months left to live.
“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.”
Discussing his initial symptoms, Chris revealed: “I went to the doctors, and explained what was going on, they took some urine samples and gave me some antibiotics.
“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.”
During the biopsy, doctors extracted a 10cm tumour from his bladder.
Chris admitted: “I prepared myself that it could be cancer, after the doctor left, it hit me, and I was upset for a while.
Chris Cotton, 50. (Image: Chris Cotton / SWNS)
“It was really raw, but I have to accept the situation I am in, I have very little control in this situation.”
On January 3, 2025, a day following his 50th birthday, Chris received the devastating news.
Chris shared: “The oncologist said that my cancer 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.
“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.”
In January, Chris embarked on his six cycles of chemotherapy treatment at The Christie Hospital in Manchester.
Chris in hospital (Image: Chris Cotton / SWNS)
Throughout his journey, Chris is determined to raise funds for The Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Care Centres, who have provided invaluable support since his diagnosis.
To achieve this goal, Chris will participate in the Tour De 4 – Sir Chris Hoy’s charity bike ride – a 56-mile cycling challenge taking place in Glasgow on September 7, 2025.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Chris mentioned: “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.”
If you wish to contribute to Chris’ fundraiser, you can do so here.
The NHS lists the following as common symptoms of bladder cancer:.
