SIR Chris Hoy says he is “grateful for each day” after his terminal cancer diagnosis as he called for men to get prostate tests in their forties.
The Olympic cycling legend, just 48, said it is a “no-brainer” to offer testing to men below the current standard age of 50.
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He is living with incurable cancer that spread from his prostate into his bones.
Sir Chris revealed a “little” pain in his shoulder and ribs was the only symptom before doctors’ tragic discovery last year.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on Tuesday the Government is now considering lowering the prostate testing age, currently 50.
Edinburgh-born Sir Chris, who won six Olympic gold medals in the velodrome, told the BBC it has been the toughest year of his life.
He said: “I’d had zero symptoms, nothing to point me towards that that might be an issue.
“We were given the news that this was incurable.
“Suddenly, it’s almost like your life is flashing before your eyes.”
Family history is a key risk factor
- Sir Chris Hoy’s own dad and grandfather also had prostate cancer – a family history of the disease raises the risk of developing it.
- Black men are also about twice as likely to get the disease, with a one in four chance compared to one in eight overall.
- Old age is another top risk factor, with tumours much more common in older men and danger increasing with age.
There is no NHS screening programme for prostate cancer although it is the most common type of tumour in men, with 55,000 cases per year.
Men can request a blood test from their doctor once they are older than 50 or if they have possible cancer symptoms.
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NHS testing policy ‘is outdated’
The charity Prostate Cancer UK called the policy “outdated”.
Spokesperson Chiara De Biase said: “We’re grateful to Sir Chris for bravely telling his story and welcome news that the Government is looking into testing men from the age of 45.
“Right now, you need to bring it up with a GP yourself and this is leading to too many men getting a late, incurable diagnosis.
“The system needs to change.”
Sir Chris said: “If you’ve got family history of it like I have, if you’re over the age of 45, go and ask your doctor.
“Catch it before you need to have any major treatment.
“To me it seems a no-brainer. Reduce the age, allow more men to just go in and get a blood test.”
My perspective on life has changed massively. I am more grateful for each day
Sir Chris Hoy
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “He makes a powerful argument.
“I’ve asked the NHS to look at the case for lowering the screening age on prostate cancer.”
Prostate cancer may have no symptoms or it might make you need to pee more but struggle to do so, or finding blood in your urine.
Sir Chris added: “My perspective on life has changed massively.
“I am more thankful, I’m more grateful for each day.”
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
- needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- needing to rush to the toilet
- difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- straining or taking a long time while peeing
- weak flow
- feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- blood in urine or blood in semen
Source: NHS
