Bridgend bodybuilder returns to stage with stoma bag after bowel cancer

A bodybuilder who was told he might not live past 40 after his bowel cancer was missed said it felt “incredible” to return to the stage with his scars and stoma bag.

Doctors initially dismissed Mat Dean’s symptoms, but a scan later revealed a large tumour in his bowel that had spread to his liver.

After major surgery earlier this year, the father of two, from Bridgend, now lives with a stoma bag and said he has faced challenges with body confidence.

But less than a year on, he is back competing, saying bodybuilding is his way of “exposing myself bare raw to the world”.

In 2022, then 39, Mr Dean trained hard for a bodybuilding show, but behind the image of perfection he was seriously unwell.

His symptoms began the previous year when he had sporadic, severe stomach pain and found some blood when he had been to the toilet.

Doctors initially dismissed it as a small tear from lifting weights, but after losing a stone on holiday, he knew he needed further tests.

Mr Dean’s initial surgery was altered when the cancer was found to have spread to his bladder.

By February 2023, he underwent major surgery to remove the tumour and his bladder, leaving him with two stoma bags – one for his bowel and one for his bladder.

Earlier this year he had the bowel stoma reversed, but the other remains, something he admitted was difficult, particularly during a holiday where people stared as he sat by the pool.

Despite still recovering from surgery and with his “bowels still very erratic”, Mr Dean was encouraged by his gym mates to return to the stage.

A man offered to coach him, and two weekends ago he competed at Bridgend College, placing second and third in two categories, which he described as “amazing”.

He told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: “It was incredible to step back on the stage and expose myself with my stoma bag and my scars.

“It was just a feeling of elation, satisfaction, and proud – knowing I’d beaten probably the hardest thing I’ll ever go through.

“My surgeon said it could take six months to a year for my bowels to get back into rhythm, so I’m still recovering.

“To manage to step back on stage in my eyes felt not far off a miracle because my body is still healing, and it’s a big challenge.”

He also competed in another show on Sunday, taking first and second place, and now plans to compete in the British finals in November at the NEC in Birmingham after receiving an invitation.

“I’m very proud of myself and happy with what I’ve achieved so far,” he added.

Mr Dean said he has always been an “all-in kind of guy” and “headstrong and determined”.

“I think cancer really opened my eyes,” he said.

“Being so close to not being here made me realise you’ve got to take every opportunity to live life to the full.”

He described the “proud moment” of having his fiancee Holly and their two children, Ethan and Willow, watch him compete.

Mr Dean said he hopes to raise awareness about bowel cancer and push for the screening age to be lowered.

“I find comfort in speaking to people because if I can help even one person avoid what I went through, that’s massive for me,” he added.