Sir Chris Hoy has backed early prostate screening to catch cancer, saying his own diagnosis has ‘saved lives’ of men across the country.
Last year the six-time Olympic winner revealed he had terminal prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones.
But far from slowing down, the 11-time world champion track cyclist has turned his attention to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease.
‘Prostate is the most common cancer in England [in men] so I believe we need to be more proactive in how we screen,’ he told the Sunday Times. ‘Look at my situation.’
Sir Chris, 49, has a family history of the disease but had no symptoms and no warnings before the shock diagnosis last year.
‘I would not have got a PSA [blood] test if I’d just gone to a regular GP,’ he said.
‘They’d have said, “Come back when you’re 50”. But by that point it would have been too late.’
Prostate cancer can be largely symptomless in its early form, making it difficult to identify. Early diagnosis is also hampered by the fact that men often feel embarrassed to discuss such an intimate medical issue until it’s too late.
Consequently, around 20 per cent of cases – including Sir Chris’s – have already reached the critical stage four by the time they are diagnosed.
This means that the tumour has infected other parts of the body, usually making it incurable.
Sir Chris said the inbox on his Instagram account is ‘stacked’ with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. ‘That gives me a huge lift,’ he said.
In a boost for the Mail’s campaign to cut prostate cancer deaths, he said he would like to see the NHS proactively offer men tests for the disease, in a move that could prevent thousands of needless deaths.