Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medalist, has criticised the UK’s approach to prostate cancer detection and diagnosis. Diagnosed with the devastating condition in September 2023 after experiencing shoulder pain, the 49-year-old publicly revealed his diagnosis last February.

In October, he shared the heartbreaking news that his cancer is terminal, with a life expectancy of two to four years. Speaking to The Times, Hoy expressed his frustration, stating: “There isn’t a national screening process. It shouldn’t be up to people like myself to have to go out there and raise awareness, but we do have to, and it should be an automatic thing.

“When you turn 45, you should get some sort of information, a letter or an email, whatever, to let you know that every man needs to know their individual risk. For me, I have a family history, and even then it was always seen as something for the future.

“When you get to 50, then you might start thinking about it, ‘It’s an older man’s disease. It’s not for now.’ I was 47 when I was diagnosed, and by that point it was too late.”

There is no government-run prostate screening program currently as the National Screening Committee recommends against it, despite calls from Hoy.

After his diagnosis, Hoy has committed himself to raising awareness of prostate cancer. He currently serves as an ambassador for the Even Bigger 180 campaign and presented Luke Littler with the winner’s trophy at this year’s World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

He has also presented the match ball for Scotland’s Six Nations home fixture against Ireland, whilst making appearances at sporting events to discuss prostate cancer with hopes of encouraging people to complete a 30-second risk assessment through Prostate Cancer UK.

Hoy provided an update on his health. He said: “I’m feeling OK, yes. The hard part is the initial diagnosis, I think, and getting to terms with that, and then getting your head around it. Then it’s about making the most of life.

“You’re faced with your mortality a lot younger than you would normally expect, and I think that in some ways it’s actually really good, because you start to appreciate the smaller things.

“You bring yourself back to the present more. You stop thinking about the future as much and worrying about small stuff and silly stuff.”

Hoy also remarked that he finds himself in a ‘fortunate position’ to possess a platform that enables him to make a difference, taking time to come to terms with his diagnosis whilst using it to support others moving forward.

Throughout his cycling career, Hoy secured six Olympic gold medals and one silver between 2000 and 2012, establishing him as Great Britain’s second-most decorated Olympic competitor in history, trailing only Sir Jason Kenny, who earned seven golds of his own.

He also secured 11 golds at the World Championships and 34 World Cup titles before retiring in 2013.

According to the NHS, prostate cancer frequently presents no initial symptoms as it typically develops on the outer section of the prostate.

Symptoms only emerge when it starts to press against the tube carrying urine from the bladder, or when it begins spreading.

The National Health Service outlines the following symptoms of prostate cancer:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Blood present in urine or semen
• Lower back pain
• Unintentional weight loss

The NHS also advises seeing a GP if: “You’re over 50 years old, come from a Black ethnic background or have a history of prostate cancer in your family and you’re worried about your risk of prostate cancer,” or: “You’re having trouble peeing or other symptoms of prostate cancer.”