A Chorlton man is speaking out about his experience of bladder cancer and life with a urostomy bag in a bid to encourage more men to talk openly about their health and seek medical advice when something does not feel right.
Pete Smart, 67, believes men are often reluctant to discuss cancer symptoms and can be guilty of putting off going to their GP, something he hopes to change by sharing his own story.
Pete Smart from Chorlton has played football with his current team mates since 1986.
The keen cyclist and long-time footballer had noticed he needed to pee more often so had gone to his GP to do a urine sample. While he waited for his results, he then also noticed blood in his urine after stopping for a pee on a bike ride.
Test results showed Pete’s urine sample contained blood even though it was not visible to the naked eye. Following further investigations, Pete underwent surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital in December 2023 to remove his bladder and prostate. Patients who have their bladder removed can usually choose between two options. Some patients opt for a neo-bladder which is a surgically created replacement bladder. Pete chose to have a urostomy, which involves wearing a waterproof pouch on the stomach to collect urine.
After successful surgery Pete is now cancer free and is back doing the activities he loves.
He said: “When they told me about the cancer and the operation, one of my first questions was, ‘Will I ever be able to go on a bike again and play football? It’s been important for me to get back to this and I’m pleased to say I can do everything I did before.”
Pete, who cycles approximately 6,000 miles a year, set himself an ambitious goal during his recovery: a cycling expedition in the Slovenian Alps the following summer.
He said: “It was really hard when I got there for the first few days. Even though I’d trained, it was hard getting used to the temperature and acclimatising.
“But without that aim I think I might have untethered a bit. I’ve always used cycling as a way to help my mental health and it made me feel better.
“I knew it was going to be easier for my wellbeing if I had something to aim for.
PHOTO CREDIT: Carl Sukonik
Returning to football was another important milestone. Pete has been playing since he was a child and has met up to play six-aside with friends since 1986 and had no intention of giving up the sport.
However, he admits he initially felt a bit nervous about playing with his urostomy bag.
“It was a bit strange at first, but I’ve had no problem playing football,” he said. “I was a bit self-conscious showering in the changing rooms, but you soon realise that after the first time, your mates see you as just the same person as before and no-one bats an eyelid.”
And since his operation, Pete’s cycling has continued to go from strength to strength too. He’s now back clocking his usual mileage and times and has recently returned from a cycling tour of the Dolomite mountains in Italy climbing to over 2000 metres.
Pete now uses his experience to encourage others, particularly men, not to ignore potential warning signs.
He said: “Now I badger people and tell them not to hesitate to see their GP if they notice a small change or something that looks or feels different for them – even something like weeing more often. It’s really important not to be embarrassed and to check with your GP.”
