A painter and decorator received a prostate cancer diagnosis after his clients, who happened to be doctors, observed how often he was using their toilet.
Frequent Bathroom Trips Raised Concerns
Jeff Titmarsh, 67, was urinating up to 12 times a day but initially attributed it to aging. While decorating the home of two retired doctors, they noticed his regular bathroom visits and urged him to seek medical advice.
The otherwise healthy and active grandfather-of-four underwent tests that confirmed prostate cancer. He received chemotherapy and hormone medication after discovering the cancer was stage four and had spread to his bones.
Despite being told initially the cancer was incurable, Jeff responded well to treatments and is now in remission. He is raising money for charity and promoting awareness of symptoms that affect one in eight men.
A Life-Changing Observation
The divorced father-of-two from Stratford-on-Avon said: "I had been peeing for England. I was doing external paintwork for these doctors and had to come down the scaffolding whenever I needed the loo, so they always saw me. They asked about it and recommended I go to my GP."
Discussing his diagnosis, he said: "I was in shock. I caught it quite late, but not too late thankfully. If the chemo hadn't worked, it would have been curtains for me. Going to the loo more was the only symptom, but I ignored it for a year. The doctors gave me the boot up the backside to get checked."
From Ignoring Symptoms to Taking Action
Jeff first noticed around 2023 that he was visiting the toilet more frequently, often once an hour, and occasionally didn't make it in time. It wasn't until May 2024, while decorating a client's home, that he finally took action after the retired doctors recommended a check-up.
A blood test led to an MRI scan. While on holiday in Devon with his daughter Samantha, 50, and grandson Croyde, 15, he received a call informing him the scan had detected something and a biopsy was needed.
By August 2024, the biopsy confirmed cancer, and further tests revealed stage four prostate cancer that had spread to a portion of his rib bone.
Emotional Journey and Recovery
Jeff said: "I was okay telling my family, but then I was in the gym with my friend, and I saw him and just burst into tears. Two blokes just crying and hugging in the gym."
He began chemotherapy in November 2024 alongside medication to suppress testosterone production, which his oncologist believed was feeding the cancer. He was relieved to find his cancer responded positively, and by December he had gone into remission.
He now requires blood tests every two months and daily hormone medication. Feeling much better, Jeff is training for Sir Chris Hoy's Tour de 4 charity cycling event in September to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Research.
Raising Awareness
Jeff said: "The most common symptom is going to the loo more. Aside from that, you would never have known I was ill. I didn't lose any weight. Just get checked as soon as possible. Forget the British stiff upper lip. And be positive, with a good circle of family and friends around you."
