Latest news with #SirChrisHoy
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
The current testing system for prostate cancer is failing too many men
SIR – Congratulations on your campaign (Leading Article, July 26) for a targeted screening programme for prostate cancer. My own diagnosis earlier this year made me realise that a national screening test is urgently needed. I was (and still am) asymptomatic, and have no known family history. I requested a PSA test from my GP following a chance meeting with an acquaintance who had recently been diagnosed with localised advanced prostate cancer – he had originally decided against a test, but was persuaded after learning of Sir Chris Hoy's experience. I am now being treated for localised advanced (high risk) prostate cancer. Your reports of men having to request a PSA test from their GP several times, even with symptoms, are appalling. A friend of a family member had a similar experience. He had experienced typical symptoms and went to see his GP, who gave him various blood and other tests, but notably not a PSA test. Having sought a second opinion privately, he was then diagnosed with prostate cancer, which has spread throughout his body. I know men who have received an unenthusiastic response from their GP; other men are completely ignorant of the cancer and its symptoms. The status quo is a disaster for men. I fully support your campaign and your call for better training and awareness for GPs. Geoff Stevens Harrogate, North Yorkshire SIR – I was repeatedly refused the PSA test by GPs on the grounds that the test was too sensitive and unreliable. I eventually managed to persuade a GP to comply, but only because I refused to be placed on statins, which were to be prescribed for no other reason than my age. The results of the test were elevated but, after treatment, at least I am now one of those who will die with, hopefully not of, prostate cancer. The worst irony of my experience was the revelation, from the nurse specialist who took my family history, that because my mother and maternal grandmother had both died of breast cancer, I was in a higher risk category. Had I known this, I might have convinced previous GPs to test my PSA earlier and maybe even qualified for prostatectomy, like younger friends and relatives with whom I have compared notes, thereby avoiding the unpleasant side effects of radiotherapy. Dermod Malley Halstead, Essex SIR – All men need to be tested for prostate cancer. My husband had no signs or symptoms, but we had lost a friend to the disease, so our enlightened GP ordered a PSA test which indicated that my husband, then 55, had a problem. Our son has been tested since he was 45 years old. My husband and his specialist fought it for 22 years but sadly he lost his battle in 2019. Marilla Blenkin Ashford, Kent
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Sir Chris Hoy: We must change NHS to tackle prostate cancer
Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic champion, has called for systemic change in the ways that men get tested for prostate cancer. The 49-year-old cyclist was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in 2023, and was told last year that it is terminal after it spread to his bones. NHS guidance says men over the age of 50 are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer, but Sir Chris wants to help men get screened earlier. He 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.' Testing One option is a PSA blood test, which checks the level of prostate-specific antigens in the blood. A high reading may be a sign of a prostate condition. NHS guidance says these tests are not routinely used as they are not reliable, but men over 50 can ask GPs for one. Sir Chris's comments came after Prostate Cancer UK urged the Government to overhaul NHS guidelines to encourage GPs to proactively speak to men who are at high risk from 45 years old. According to the charity, around one in eight men in the UK will get prostate cancer, which occurs when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way. If not detected early, it risks spreading. Sir Chris added: '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 at an earlier stage. 'I've told my story to help raise awareness about the most common cancer in men and get more [people] thinking about their risk and what they can do, but it shouldn't all be men's responsibility. '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, and 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 come forward and get tested.' 'Tour de 4' The Scottish cyclist has launched his own charity cycling challenge, Tour de 4, with the aim of changing perceptions around stage four cancer. The challenge will take place in Glasgow on Sept 7, with a final registration phase open for riders to sign up. Speaking about Sir Chris, Laura Kerby, the chief executive of Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'In just a few months after Sir Chris went public with his diagnosis last year, over 286,000 people used our online risk checker to learn more about the disease, find out their own risk and learn what they can choose to do about it. 'His bravery has inspired so many men to take action, and he has undoubtedly saved lives. 'One in eight men will get prostate cancer. The earlier it's found, the easier it is to treat – but there's currently no screening programme in the UK. 'So if, like Sir Chris, you have a family history of the disease, or if you're black, we strongly encourage you to speak to your GP about testing from the age of 45. 'We don't think it's right that the responsibility is all on men's shoulders, so we're calling on the Health Secretary to overhaul outdated NHS guidelines so that GPs are empowered to actually start conversations with these men at highest risk.'
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Sir Chris Hoy says public support has ‘lifted him' amid terminal cancer diagnosis
Sir Chris Hoy, 49, revealed he was diagnosed with terminal stage four prostate cancer in 2023 at age 47, which has since spread to his bones. His diagnosis at a younger age than the typical NHS high-risk group (over 50) highlights his urgent call for earlier prostate cancer screening. Sir Chris advocates for systemic changes to testing protocols, including proactive PSA blood tests for high-risk men like those with a family history or Black men. Prostate Cancer UK supports his plea, urging the UK Government to overhaul NHS guidelines to encourage GPs to discuss testing with high-risk men from age 45. He has launched the Tour de 4 charity cycling challenge to raise awareness and inspire action, with his advocacy already prompting many to use online risk checkers.
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Evans seeks Glasgow glory after 2014 Games inspiration
Neah Evans says it would be "incredible" to go for gold at next year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games since she is "part of the legacy" of the 2014 event in the 34-year-old two-time Olympic silver medallist has enjoyed a glittering career on the cycling track, winning a raft of major medals at World, European and Commonwealth did not take the sport up full time until 2017 but says what happened in Glasgow three years earlier was pivotal to her journey."When we have got major championships a lot of things get bandied about like legacy and inspiring other people and, I will be honest, I always find them a bit like buzzwords, but realistically I would never have got into track cycling if it hadn't been for the Commonwealth Games in 2014," she explained."They built the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome and that's where I first did my track accreditation - I did a taster session."When I went to it, I was very much not a cyclist. I had never been on a fixed-gear bike, I had never had clip in pedals, never been inside a velodrome. So I am part of the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. "To go back and race it 12 years later, it would be absolutely incredible to then come away with a gold medal. I know it is going to be difficult, the track events are very hotly contested, but it is a major target for me next season." Hitting the road is 'no-lose situation' This year, however, the Aberdeenshire racer will concentrate on the road to "move out of her comfort zone a little bit".Riding for the Handsling Alba Development Team, she hopes to scratch what she admits is a competitive explains that British Cycling tends to focus on developing younger riders after an Olympic cycle, so she will not get the same number of opportunities on the track."So it made perfect sense to challenge myself and really focus on the road, which I have never actually done," she added."Although I have done a few road races over the years, it has never been a target, it has never been what I have trained for and there has always been this unknown of 'what could I do?' because I picked up one or two results along the way."I do believe there is potential to be successful. It is quite a big ask, but it is nice to have a different challenge, it is going to keep things fresh."It's a bit of a no-lose situation because I do have the spot with British Cycling. If it doesn't succeed then it has been a fun year and I go back to the track. If it does work wonderfully well then I will have a rethink and decide how I am going to juggle road racing and track racing."
