Latest news with #Hoy
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."
Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Chris Hoy's wife kept agonising secret from him and their children still don't know
Chris Hoy's wife kept agonising secret from him and their children still don't know The six-time Olympic champion cyclist was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and announced last year that his condition was terminal, while his wife Sarra has also been battling ill health Sarra Kemp (left), Sir Chris Hoy and Nicole Kidman at Wimbledon (Image: 2025 Karwai Tang ) Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra are in attendance at the men's singles final at Wimbledon today. The pair were sat in the royal box alongside Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman, taking in the action as Yannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz locked horns on Centre Court in the blistering heat. Hoy has been keeping his social media followers updated on his various activities in recent months, posting videos of his cycle rides in Wales. It has, of course, been a heartbreaking year for the Olympian and his family. Hoy recently candidly shared his experience of living with terminal cancer and discussed how he and his wife are managing family life while facing serious health challenges. The celebrated six-time Olympic gold medallist cyclist was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and revealed last year that his condition was terminal, following a scan that detected primary cancer in his prostate which had metastasised to his bones, including his shoulder, pelvis, ribs and spine. Doctors have given Hoy a prognosis of two to four years. Article continues below In a heartbreaking turn of events, his wife Sarra was diagnosed with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS) shortly after Hoy's cancer diagnosis. With two young children, Callum, aged 10, and Chloe, aged seven, Hoy has previously expressed the difficulty in communicating such news to them, labelling it as "an absolute horror" and "a waking nightmare". Despite initial concerns about the effect of his public diagnosis on his children, the 49-year-old now believes that his illness is "not something that really scares them" and feels that his family is "in a nice spot". "Touch wood, it doesn't feel as though they've been massively affected by it," Hoy remarked to The Times, providing an update on his health situation last month. "They've always been a bit frustrated with people coming up, wanting a photograph of Daddy. Now they're like, 'Oh, is it because of the cancer?' "I think they understand that cancer is part of our lives. It's not something that really scares them, they don't really talk about it much, it's just there." While Callum and Chloe are aware of their father's illness, Hoy also disclosed that he and Sarra have chosen not to inform them about her MS diagnosis, stating that she "doesn't want the focus". In fact, Sarra initially kept her condition a secret from her husband as he grappled with his own health issues. The neurological disorder, which impacts the brain and spinal cord, is incurable but can be managed with treatment. "She doesn't talk about it a massive amount," he said when asked how Sarra's condition had influenced their daily life. "I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table. It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. "When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'Is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' It's just, it's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy." Regarding their decision not to tell their children, Hoy added: "They know that she's got sore hands sometimes, and I think that's about the extent of it. "If it wasn't for my diagnosis, I think it would be getting a lot more attention, but she likes it that way. She doesn't want the focus, she just wants to crack on." The Team GB legend has previously lauded his wife as "the epitome of selflessness", standing by him following his cancer diagnosis while simultaneously grappling with her own devastating health issues. In his autobiography, he recounts how she underwent a routine MRI scan just a week after his cancer diagnosis to investigate a tingling sensation in her face and tongue, but didn't speak of it for over a month. "Then one evening in December, after our kids Callum and Chloe had gone to bed, Sarra looked serious and said she had something to tell me," he penned. "I realised immediately it was something big as Sarra, always so strong in every situation, was beginning to crumble and struggling to get the words out. 'Do you remember that scan I went for?' she started through tear-filled eyes. 'Well, they think it might be multiple sclerosis'. I immediately broke down, distraught both by the news and the fact she'd received it without me there. "She went on to explain they had called her and told her over a month before. It was so hard to try to compute that she had absorbed the awfulness of this diagnosis alone, without sharing it with me, in order to protect me. I tried to let the words sink in as my mind was spinning, trying to understand what had been happening to her, all while she had been accompanying me to every one of my own hospital appointments." He continued: "She is the epitome of selflessness, putting the kids and me before herself and always doing it through love not obligation. The future is a great unknown for us both now." Reflecting on his feelings after receiving the terminal cancer diagnosis, Hoy shared: "Initially you feel you're never going to tell your kids off again. You want them to only remember you as the perfect father who always says yes if they want an ice cream, or yes if they get on the iPad, or whatever. And you realise that that phase is very short. Article continues below "It feels like the family routine is as it was before, which I think is remarkable, really. That will definitely change, obviously, but I think for now we're just getting on with life, and it just feels like we're in a nice spot."
Irish Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tears flow at funeral for "spirited adventurer" who died in Bolivia accident
AN Irish man who died when the 4x4 he was travelling in overturned in South America was described at his funeral mass as a free spirited adventurer who loved Hoy, 29, from Clontarf in Dublin, was among a group of seven in a Toyota Landcruiser when the accident occurred on Bolivia's famous salt flats last over 1,000 mourners attended the funeral mass at St Gabriel's Church in Clontarf on Saturday and such was the crowds that many mourners had to stand outside as there was no room heartbroken parents Mary and Kevin and his siblings Peter, Niamh and Caoimhe heard tributes to Oisin who was described as one of the loveliest people you could ever funeral mass was told that Oisin was a keen sportsman who loved adventure and travelling who would go out of his way to help had a deep interest in other countries, cultures and peoples and was a seasoned traveller. Mourners were told that Oisin was a member of Clontarf GAA Club since he was a child and played all the way through the juvenile ranks in hurling and football and into the world of adult football. Mr Hoy's family are also deeply rooted in the club with his father Kevin the club's vice-chair while his mother Mary is an active committee of members of the club attended the funeral mass yesterday and formed a guard of was killed when the 4x4 overturned in Bolivia and it is understood that the group was on their way to a local volcano when the vehicle flipped over and travelled for a further 40 metres before coming to a halt on its was gravely injured and was being brought to a hospital in the nearby city of Potosi when he died en others, including two Bolivians, two Germans and a Dutchman were also injured with three requiring hospital treatment in Potosi due to the severity of their family had requested that no flowers be sent and instead asked those who you wished to pay their respect and show their support to donate to a number of named also asked those who want to remember Oisin to plant a native tree or pollinator plants to represent how he was everywhere and will continue to Oisin's coffin was carried by pallbearers from the church the funeral courtage made its way to St Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton for burial.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Oisin Hoy was 'living his life to the fullest' when tragedy struck
The heartbroken family of 'free spirited' Oisin Hoy, who was killed when a 4x4 overturned in Bolivia, have said he was 'living his life to the fullest on his Bolivian adventure,' when tragedy struck. Mr Hoy, 29, from Clontarf in Dublin, was among a group of seven in a Toyota Landcruiser when the accident occurred on Bolivia's famous salt flats last Friday afternoon, June 27. Officials said the group was on their way to a local volcano when the vehicle flipped over and travelled for a further 40 metres before coming to a halt on its side. Mr Hoy was gravely injured and was being brought to the nearby city of Potosi when he died en route. Five others, including two Bolivians, two Germans and a Dutchman were also injured. Three required hospital treatment in Potosi due to the severity of their injuries. In his death notice on Mr Hoy's heartbroken family wrote: 'Our beautiful free spirited Oisín has died after a car accident. 'He was living his life to the fullest on his Bolivian adventure. 'Loved so much by his parents Mary and Kevin, his siblings Peter, Niamh and Caoimhe, as well as KevinMary (lost through miscarriage), family, friends and everyone who met him," his family wrote. Mr Hoy's family have asked mourners not to bring flowers to his funeral, an announcement of which will be made later. However, they are asking mourners if they want to show support during this time that they can donate to the following charities: Oscar Kids Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust or Home Tree or 'plant a native tree or pollinator plants to represent how Oisín was everywhere and will continue to be.' Earlier Mr Hoy, who had a love for travelling and adventures, was also described by a pal as a 'very popular man.' 'He was one of the loveliest persons you'd ever meet,' local councillor Kevin Breen, who was a good friend of Oisin's since their childhood, said. 'He was so full of life and loved adventures and travel. He was also a great GAA man and ran a good few marathons. 'It's just so tragic and extremely heartbreaking,' he said. Clontarf GAA also paid tribute to Mr Hoy saying in a statement on social media: "It was with a sense of deep shock that we learned of the tragic and all too early death of Oisin Hoy, son of Kevin and Mary,' Clontarf GAA Club said in a statement on social media. 'The Hoys are a real club family: Kevin is currently vice-chair and Mary is an active committee member in the club and Oisin's brother and sisters, Peter, Niamh and Caoimhe have all played for Clontarf. 'Oisin was a long standing member of the club having played all the way through the juvenile ranks in hurling and football and into the world of adult football. 'He is remembered by all who played with him or coached him as a hugely positive person. 'He always presented with a smile and made a significant contribution to any team he played with. 'His trademark smile is pictured here with Mary and Kevin after completing the Barcelona marathon on his birthday on 16th March, still representing the club after all these years,' the statement continued. 'Oisin, however, was more than a footballer. He was an inveterate traveller with a deep interest in other countries, cultures and, above all, in people. 'This interest in travelling took him to all arts and parts of the world in recent years, most recently to South America. It was there, in Bolivia, that the fatal car crash occurred. 'There is little that we can say to Kevin, Mary and the rest of the Hoy family at this tragic time other than to note that we will always remember Oisin as one who brought joy, warmth and happiness to any conversation."
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
‘Sir Chris Hoy called me after my cancer diagnosis – he gave me a mental lifeline'
Sir Chris Hoy shared a phone call with Dermot Murnaghan after the news broke that the news anchor and TV host had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer Sir Chris Hoy reached out to Dermot Murnaghan after the broadcaster was diagnosed with cancer - a move he described as a "mental lifeline." Six-time Olympic cycling champion Hoy shared the news in February 2024 that he was receiving treatment, including chemotherapy, for prostate cancer. In October of the same year, the Team GB icon shared the heartbreaking news that his condition was terminal, with the cancer having spread to his bones. Doctors estimated he had two to four years left, prompting the 49-year-old Scot to raise awareness about prostate cancer and urge more people to undergo screenings. Upon learning of Hoy's tragic situation, former BBC and Sky News presenter Murnaghan was moved to get a health check but kept postponing it. He wrote in The Times: "Seeing friends, football matches, even walking the dog, simply life itself, just seemed to intervene, and anyway I felt fine, no symptoms," adding that two months after Hoy's sombre announcement, he began feeling "weird" during a trip to southeast Asia with his wife. Struggling to rise from bed and in severe pain upon returning to the UK, he took a taxi straight to A&E. He added: "Five hours later my world was upended. The cancer was spreading fast, and I needed immediate surgery to keep me alive." The former Eggheads presenter added: "After the numbness and shock of diagnosis, the negative thoughts come flooding in. Firstly, of course, 'How long have I got?' Then, 'Why, oh why, didn't I get that check?' hard on its heels. And perhaps the worst, 'You bloody fool, what have you done to your family?'" In a touching turn of events, Murnaghan received an uplifting call from Hoy, who had faced a similar battle. Murnaghan explained: "Numb with shock, pretty much unable to speak, I found myself listening to a calm, mellifluous Scottish brogue talking me through my own identical diagnosis, based on his experience. "Chris was on the phone. He called me after hearing through a mutual contact. It was a mental lifeline." Murnaghan has recently reported positive responses to his treatment and is feeling well. Prostate cancer remains a major health concern as the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the UK, responsible for 14% of all male cancer fatalities. Opening up about his own condition, which is understood to be terminal yet treatable, Hoy told the Sunday Times: "As unnatural as it feels, this is nature. You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process. "You remind yourself, aren't I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible. Hand on heart, I'm pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It's bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy." Hoy also recently told TNT Sport: "I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer almost two years ago now, and it shocked me, it rocked my world. It changed everything in one sentence, you're told that's not curable, but it's treatable. So suddenly, you have this death sentence, and it's terrifying, but I'm here to show that life goes on for many people in that situation." Sir Chris's efforts to raise cancer awareness, which include urging men to undergo tests, have resulted in a remarkable 700 per cent rise in doctors' appointments. He and his wife, Sarra, were also awarded the Freedom of the City of London for their charitable work on cancer awareness and neonatal care, in addition to Sir Chris' sporting achievements as a British track cyclist.
