Latest news with #ChrisHoy
STV News
18 hours ago
- Health
- STV News
'Chris Hoy effect' sees patients wait over a year for urology appointments
Waiting times of more than a year to get a urology appointment have been partly due to 'the Chris Hoy effect', members of NHS Forth Valley's board have heard. Members were told that more than 70 people have been waiting more than 52 weeks to see a specialist in the Forth Valley area, but the board was reassured that work is now under way to tackle the backlog. The board's regular performance report showed concerns over waiting times for cancer treatment but urology was highlighted as a concern. Garry Fraser, director of acute services at NHS Forth Valley, told members that nationally there had been a huge upsurge in the numbers of men looking for testing for prostate cancer, after Olympic hero Chris Hoy shared his diagnosis. He said: 'They are calling it the 'Chris Hoy effect''. 'It's a good thing, in a sense, in that people are coming to get checked but it has caused a spike across the whole country in the number of referrals to urology.' The report added that there have also been 'staffing challenges' in the urology speciality, due to sickness absence, but members were told there is 'a plan in place' to ensure that the backlog is dealt with and waiting times come down. Mr Fraser said it is likely that the levels will reduce again in the coming months. The performance report also shows that Forth Valley has continued to struggle with improve on meeting its targets for treatment in the emergency department and across Forth Valley Royal Hospital as a whole. But Mr Fraser said that a recent decision to work closely with Falkirk's Health and Social Care Partnership to move patients who have been delayed in their discharge from hospital is beginning to show signs of success. He reported that 35 patients have now been moved into the community which is freeing up hospital beds in the over-stretched hospital in Larbert. 'This piece of work has really helped to free up areas and get our flow going,' he said. Another new addition is a 'frailty unit' which identifies frail patients at the front door and getting them treatment quickly in order to discharge them without delay. Mr Fraser said that the most recent figures will show that the work means that the hospital has fewer 12-hour waits for patients in July. Work will continue to look at staffing levels in the Emergency Department, to make sure that staffing matches the volume of patients, particularly during back shift hours. He admitted that while overall performance was showing an improvement 'it is still quite variable' and they will continue to monitor the situation. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Record
'Chris Hoy effect' has meant some NHS Forth Valley patients waiting a year for appointment
The number of men looking to get tested for prostate cancer soared after the cycling legend announced his condition Waiting times of more than a year to get a urology appointment have been partly due to the 'the Chris Hoy effect', members of NHS Forth Valley' s board heard today (Tuesday). Members were told that more than 70 people have been waiting more than 52 weeks to see a specialist in the Forth Valley Royal Hospital news area, but the board was reassured that work is now underway to tackle the backlog. The board's regular performance report showed concerns over waiting times for cancer treatment but urology was highlighted as a concern. Garry Fraser, director of acute services at NHS Forth Valley, told members that nationally there had been a huge upsurge in the numbers of men looking for testing for prostate cancer, after Olympic hero Chris Hoy shared his diagnosis. He said: "They are calling it the 'Chris Hoy effect'". "It's a good thing, in a sense, in that people are coming to get checked but it has caused a spike across the whole country in the number of referrals to urology." The report added that there have also been 'staffing challenges' in the Urology speciality, due to sickness absence, but members were told there is "a plan in place" to ensure that the backlog is dealt with and waiting times come down. Mr Fraser said it is likely that the levels will reduce again in the coming months. The performance report also shows that Forth Valley has continued to struggle with improving on meeting its targets for treatment in the emergency department and across Forth Valley Royal Hospital as a whole. But Mr Fraser said that a recent decision to work closely with Falkirk's Health & Social Care Partnership to move patients who have been delayed in their discharge from hospital is beginning to show signs of success. He reported that 35 patients have now been moved into the community which is freeing up hospital beds in the over-stretched hospital in Larbert. "This piece of work has really helped to free up areas and get our flow going," he said. Another new addition is a 'frailty unit' which identifies frail patients at the front door and gets them treatment quickly in order to discharge them without delay. Mr Fraser said that the most recent figures will show that the work means that the hospital has fewer 12-hour waits for patients in July. Work will continue to look at staffing levels in the Emergency Department, to make sure that staffing matches the volume of patients, particularly during back shift hours. He admitted that while overall performance was showing an improvement "it is still quite variable" and they will continue to monitor the situation.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Sir Chris Hoy's emotional plea answered as ‘staggering' response to cancer diagnosis emerges
Six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in 2024 and has been campaigning for more men to get checked since Sir Chris Hoy has seen one of his wishes come true as thousands more men are now getting screened for prostate cancer following his devastating diagnosis. The six-time Olympic champion revealed in 2024 that he'd been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer after a routine check-up with his GP. The illness had spread from Hoy's prostate into his bones, leaving the cycling legend with just two to four years to live. Hoy was determined to smash the taboo surrounding cancer screening, having never been offered the PSA test that detects the disease - despite his dad and granddad both battling the same condition. Fresh NHS figures reported by The Telegraph reveal nearly 5,000 additional men have been referred for urological cancer checks in the six months since the 49-year-old went public with his news. The data shows 138,734 more males received urgent referrals for urological cancers - with prostate cancer being the primary type - between October 2024 and March 2025. This represents an extra 4,962 cases compared to the same period the previous year, a surge that medical experts are calling "staggering." Prostate cancer remains the most prevalent form of the disease amongst men, with roughly one in eight British males receiving the diagnosis during their lifetime. Separate data has revealed a significant surge in the number of men with a family history of prostate cancer checking their own risk, with usage of online risk checkers increasing by 77% over the same period. Despite his diagnosis, Hoy remains optimistic about his future and continues to fundraise and raise awareness for cancer charities nationwide. He recently launched Tour de 4, an initiative aimed at raising funds for cancer charities and changing perceptions of those living with the disease. Earlier this year, Hoy spoke about his desire for more men to come forward, as he said: "I've faced many challenges in my life, and going public with my prostate cancer diagnosis was certainly one of them. "I've been incredibly lucky to have so much support from my family, friends and the general public. The kindness has lifted me up and given me a sense of purpose. "I'm committed to taking that forward and using my platform to raise awareness of the most common cancer in men and help more men at risk to come forward and get tested." He added: "I was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer at 47. By this age, my prostate cancer was advanced and could have been progressing from when I was 45 or even younger. "With prostate cancer, the earlier you find it, the easier it is to treat. We need the system to change to enable more men to get diagnosed earlier, and stop them getting the news I got."
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Prostate cancer checks soar after Sir Chris Hoy reveals diagnosis
Thousands more men are having checks for prostate cancer since Sir Chris Hoy revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease and was terminally ill. The six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist was told in 2023 that he was terminally ill with cancer that originated in his prostate, and shared his diagnosis publicly last year. Despite a family history of prostate cancer – which also affected his father and grandfather – Sir Chris was never offered the PSA test that could have detected it. New NHS data show almost 5,000 extra men have been referred for urological cancer in the six months after Sir Chris, 49, spoke out, a trend described by experts as 'staggering'. The figures, from October 2024 to March 2025, show 138,734 men were given an urgent referral for urological cancers, with prostate cancer the main form of disease. This amounts to an extra 4,962 cases compared with the same six-month period in 2023-24. Separate data show a huge increase in the number of men with a family history of prostate cancer who have assessed their own risk. The number of men with such a history who have used an online risk checker to assess their chances of the disease rose by 77 per cent over the period. Telegraph launches screening campaign The findings have been released as The Telegraph launches a campaign calling for the introduction of targeted screening for prostate cancer. Men are not offered tests currently, even if they have a family history of the disease. Experts believe there is a growing case for targeted screening, meaning that PSA blood tests would be offered to those at heightened risk of the disease. Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, hopes to harness AI and data to improve prostate cancer screening for high-risk men which factors in family history, genetics, demographics and other factors. Mr Kyle, writing in The Telegraph, said he hopes researchers can harness the vast amount of health data available to 'develop AI-powered tools that can predict cancer risk' to save thousands of lives a year. The UK National Screening Committee is currently considering whether to recommend the introduction of mass testing. 'I told my story to raise awareness' Sir Chris said: 'I was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer at 47. By this age, my prostate cancer was advanced and could have been progressing from when I was 45 or even younger. With prostate cancer, the earlier you find it, the easier it is to treat. We need the system to change to enable more men to get diagnosed earlier, and stop them getting the news I got. 'That's why I believe men at highest risk, for example men with a family history like me, or black men, should be contacted by their GP earlier on to discuss a simple PSA blood test that can check for signs of prostate cancer. 'Then if there are any issues, they can get it treated it at an earlier stage. 'I've told my story to help raise awareness about the most common cancer in men and get more thinking about their risk and what they can do, but it shouldn't all be men's responsibility.' The online risk checking tool, published by Prostate Cancer Research UK, asks men simple questions about their family history and ethnicity to determine risk levels, and gives advice about what help to seek. The charity found that the number of men undergoing the check rose by 45 per cent overall, when data from October 2024 to February 2025 was compared with the same period the year before. The sharpest increase by far came from men aged between 45 and 49, with a family history of the disease. In total 10,427 such men checked their risk, compared with 5,891 in the same period the previous years. In total there were 688,796 checks during the period, up from 473, 843 the year before.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Leading figures back Telegraph's campaign for prostate cancer screening
Leading figures have thrown their weight behind the Telegraph's campaign for targeted screening for prostate cancer. Men are not offered tests even if they have a family history of the disease, but the UK National Screening Committee is considering whether to recommend the rollout of testing. Launching the campaign, The Telegraph revealed thousands of men are only receiving a diagnosis with prostate cancer after being dismissed by their GP multiple times. Every year about 55,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men. Of those, around 10,000 only receive the diagnosis after at least three visits to their GP seeking help, NHS data suggests. Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister, on Saturday backed the call for targeted screening, joining several figures from the world of television and sport who have been treated. Experts believe there is a growing case for targeted screening, meaning that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests would be offered to those at heightened risk. The plight of men with prostate cancer has been highlighted by Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer that originated in his prostate in 2023. Despite prostate cancer affecting his father and grandfather he was never offered PSA tests. Targeted screening could mean offering checks to men with a family history of the disease, higher genetic risks or those whose ethnic background increases the chance of disease. Men over the age of 50 can request a PSA test but GPs are told not to offer them proactively, and to use their clinical judgment about younger men. Under the current rules, those with symptoms should be offered tests. Wes Streeting, Health Secretary, has said that Sir Chris 'makes a powerful argument' about the case for prostate screening, especially where there is a family history of disease. Every year in the UK around 12,000 men die from it with around half of men only diagnosed when the disease, which can be symptomless, is at a late stage. Mr Sunak, who recently became an ambassador for the charity Prostate Cancer Research, said: 'Too many men are leaving it too late to get checked. They get lulled into a false sense of security by the absence of symptoms. 'In too many cases, by the time there are symptoms that are impacting your lifestyle, it's probably too late. By the time men do seek help, the cancer can be advanced and much harder to treat. 'In some cases people don't realise they are in high-risk groups because of family history or ethnic background. Ignorance kills and that's why we need a targeted national screening programme. It will ensure men are seen and checked before it's too late.' Government advisers have previously been reluctant to recommend the programme because of concerns about PSA tests. However, in recent years the back-up diagnostics used to make a diagnosis have significantly improved. Actor Stephen Fry, 67, was diagnosed in 2018 and underwent surgery to remove his prostate and some lymph nodes. He was diagnosed after a routine PSA blood test and MRI scan following a suggestion from his doctor. He too backed the Telegraph campaign, saying: 'Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK yet it remains one we speak about too little, test for too late and act on too slowly. Thousands of men are dying needlessly from a disease which, when caught early, is eminently survivable. The status quo must change and it must change now.' He urged the Government and the National Screening Committee to introduce a targeted screening programme, beginning with the men most at risk. Fry said: 'We know early detection of prostate cancer saves lives. It really is that simple. No man should die from a cancer that could have been treated if found in time. We have a moral obligation – as a society and as a health system – to act. The opportunity is before us; the cost of inaction is measured not just in numbers but in fathers, brothers, partners and friends lost and families left shattered.' Dermot Murnaghan, 67, the former Sky News presenter, revealed in June that he has Stage 4 prostate cancer, meaning it has spread to other areas of the body. He said he 'fell through the gaps' in the system, never asking his GP for tests because he assumed that regular private health checks included PSA tests. He told The Telegraph: 'I know first hand the difference early diagnosis can make. We now have the tools to target those most at risk and save thousands of lives each year. It's time we rolled out screening for high-risk groups.' TV presenter Nick Owen, 77, was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2023, for which he received treatment. He said: 'Being diagnosed was one of the worst days of my life. It triggered some turbulent times, not just for me but my family too. Life is better now but it's not the same as it was. The groundswell for change in how this awful disease is diagnosed and treated is growing. 'Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK without a screening programme, but the evidence is there to change this. 'Early diagnosis is key and changing that senseless situation where its still incumbent on men to be aware of their risk and proactively talk about it with their GP. Black men and those with a family history are at increased risk, so its so important that they are armed with the full facts. 'I am a dad to three boys all in their late 30s and early 40s. I know about inherited risk. I am really concerned about them. I am very anxious about it. 'We all want a world when there are regular, reliable tests to find prostate cancer in its early stages, when it's easier to treat. Hopefully this campaign can set us on the right path to get there.' Kenny Logan, 53, the former Scotland international and husband of BBC presenter Gabby, underwent treatment for prostate cancer earlier in 2022. He said: 'I was asymptomatic when I was diagnosed in 2022, if I hadn't taken a blood test it might have been too late. I'm grateful to be here, this is why I'm backing The Telegraph's campaign urging the Government to act with urgency.' Bill Turnbull, a TV presenter and journalist, died of the disease in 2022 aged 66. His daughter Flora said: 'A targeted screening programme for men who are most vulnerable of developing prostate cancer will be a step in the right direction. Those at highest risk of this disease deserve better. 'My family and I know how cruel prostate cancer is after watching my dad gradually decline after his diagnosis in 2017. 'I know how decisively and swiftly the illness can act if left unchecked. I really hope this campaign results in better outcomes and a better future for all men and those who love them.' Nick Jones, 61, the founder of Soho House, an international chain of private members' clubs, was diagnosed with a large and aggressive tumour on his prostate which was urgently removed. He said: 'I consider myself one of the lucky ones, my prostate cancer was caught just in time. But luck shouldn't decide who lives and who dies. It's time for the Government to act. Too many lives are on the line.' Journalist Paul Henderson was diagnosed with stage two prostate cancer in June and will be writing a regular column for The Telegraph about going through the process of diagnosis and treatment. He said: 'Prostate cancer awareness shouldn't start with a diagnosis. As the most common cancer in the UK, we all need to be talking about it. We need to understand the risk factors and we need to catch it as early as possible. 'Like almost all men, I never thought it would happen to me. But in all honesty, I never really thought about prostate cancer, full stop. That has to change. And bringing in a national screening programme shouldn't really be a discussion because it's simply a matter of life or death.'
