Sir Chris Hoy has made a powerful call for men to be screened for prostate cancer, unveiling a major project aimed at screening 25,000 people for the disease.
The Olympic cycling legend, who recently revealed his own diagnosis of incurable prostate cancer, urged men across Scotland, especially those over 40, to get a simple test, saying: “It could save your life.”
Sir Chris, one of Scotland and the UK's most decorated athletes, shared that his personal health battle has given him a “new purpose”.
He launched the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative in Glasgow, a vital program designed to screen 25,000 Scottish men.
The initiative seeks to dramatically improve early detection and diagnosis rates, ultimately striving to save lives. Speaking to the Press Association, Sir Chris emphasized his clear and urgent message to men.
“I think the most important thing is to explain that it's just a simple blood test,” he said. “With a PSA [prostate specific antigen] test, you're in and out of the doctor in five minutes.
“It's easy, simple, painless and could save your life.”
The Olympic athlete announced his diagnosis in October 2024 and said he had been given between two and four years to live.
He spoke to reporters about how the disease had impacted him, saying: “A stage four diagnosis changes your life dramatically, but I guess it's finding a new purpose, and today's event is about trying to educate men about the importance of catching prostate cancer early.
“Early detection saves lives; that is the message we must take away today.”
He added: “I always assumed there would be some kind of early warning sign or symptom. My grandfather had prostate cancer, my dad had it, so I was aware.
“But even then, we're always told that it starts at age 50, that it's an older man's disease, that it progresses slowly and that there are warning signs. That's not always the case. So I think that's the key.”
Sir Chris said the “fantastic” initiative was launched after figures showed that around 35% of men in Scotland with prostate cancer were diagnosed when it was too late to be cured, compared to just 12.5% in London.
Professor Sir Chris Evans, whose company EDX Medical Group is delivering the project, said he had already met with Scotland's Health Secretary and described the meeting as “very, very positive” and “very constructive”.
“I think they encouraged us a lot with what we are doing and they will wait for the result, which is what they should do,” he said.
The scientist said early detection was important for prostate cancer because it saves lives and saves the government money.
He said treating a stage one diagnosis, which is curable, could cost thousands of pounds, while treating stage four, which is terminal, costs hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Each man taking part in the initiative will be asked to give a simple blood sample to measure PSA levels and results are expected to be sent within days.
Professor Evans said some men in the pilot had already been shown to have the disease in late stages and will receive treatment.
The aim of the study is to explore how the existing clinical pathway to detect and treat prostate cancer can be improved.
The results of the study will be made available to NHS Scotland.
Men can book a free PSA test from Tuesday nationwide at www.scottishprostate.com.
