Investment Banker's Year-Long Nighttime Toilet Trips Led to Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
A father from London was diagnosed with prostate cancer after dismissing his year-long habit of waking up at night to use the toilet as simply "drinking too much." In reality, he had been living with what is often termed a 'silent killer' that impacts thousands of men across the United Kingdom.
Ignoring Early Warning Signs
Ed Matthews, a 58-year-old investment banker from Putney, London, overlooked some of the early indicators of prostate cancer until a routine health examination in April 2025 delivered the life-altering diagnosis. He underwent robotic surgery to remove his prostate in July of that year and is now cancer-free. Reflecting on his experience, Ed stated, "I would wake up in the middle of the night and go to the loo a couple of times, but I never thought too much of it. I put it down to drinking too much fluid during the evening."
Nocturia, or frequent nighttime urination, can be a symptom of prostate cancer, though it is more commonly linked to non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate or other health issues. While it might signal a tumour pressing on the urethra, it does not definitively indicate cancer.
The Diagnosis and Emotional Impact
An avid golfer and skier, Ed felt "fit and healthy" when he attended a routine health check provided by his employer in April 2025. During this assessment, he underwent a Prostate-Specific Antigen test, which showed a reading of 4.2. Although slightly elevated, doctors did not consider it alarming and referred him to a urologist as a precaution.
After an MRI scan yielded inconclusive results, Ed proceeded with a biopsy. Just three weeks after his initial check-up, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. "I was thrown into a world of pain. It was an emotional shock. No one ever wants to be told they've got cancer," he admitted. "I didn't really know what the prostate was. I was a two out of ten in terms of my knowledge."
Recovery and a New Mission
Two months following the diagnosis, Ed underwent a robotic procedure to remove his prostate. Subsequent tests have confirmed no signs of cancer, and he is now back in good health. He acknowledges that the health scare served as a profound "wake-up call," prompting him to reassess his priorities. "It makes you reappraise everything—friends, family, relationships, work. It's like a total reset. You kind of figure out what's important in life," he explained.
This experience has inspired Ed to raise awareness about prostate cancer, a cause he plans to champion by running the London Marathon in two months for Prostate Cancer UK. He aims to highlight that one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, though not necessarily die from it. "I think breast cancer's done a really good job to raise awareness, and I think it's much more front and centre for people, whereas prostate cancer's a bit of a silent killer," Ed noted.
Family Support and Fundraising Efforts
Joining Ed in the marathon will be his 20-year-old daughter, Maddie, who hopes to raise funds for Dementia UK and Dean House Care Home in memory of her late grandmother, who passed away from dementia last year. Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, expressed pride in supporting Ed, stating, "We're incredibly proud to support Ed as he takes on this year's London Marathon, which also marks the one-year anniversary of his cancer diagnosis. His story is a testament to the importance of early detection and the difference it can make in saving lives."
Ed's journey underscores the critical need for men to pay attention to subtle health changes and seek medical advice promptly, as early detection can significantly improve outcomes in prostate cancer cases.
