Sir Chris Hoy’s Prostate Cancer Warning: The Ageing Symptom He Thought Was Harmless

Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy recalled the unsettling moments of his life when he first heard about his cancer diagnosis – saying it was “scary”. Hoy, a six-time Olympic champion speaking on a recently aired documentary, spoke about the initial signs of prostate cancer, which he assumed were signs of ageing. “It was the summer of 2023, I had a pain in my shoulder and just assumed it was a sign of getting older. Aches and pains, as you expect,” he said. In an hour-long BBC documentary, Hoy - the father of two said he has been receiving treatment for cancer for the last two years. Hoy also talked about how ignoring or brushing off simple pains or aches as something ‘normal’ can be the cause of something so serious as cancer. Chris shared that he now

advocates for people to get tested, and despite no symptoms, many tell him they had prostate cancer. Doctors say the outlook for prostate cancer is generally good, particularly if you are diagnosed early. However, survival depends on many factors, and no one can tell you exactly how long you will live.

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What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, a small, walnut-shaped gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. According to doctors, this tiny gland secretes fluid that mixes with semen, keeping sperm healthy for conception and pregnancy. Prostate cancer is a serious yet common disease. For every 100 males, 13 will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Fortunately, most people get diagnosed before it spreads beyond their prostate glands. Treatment at this stage often eliminates the cancer.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

According to experts, while early-stage prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms, as it progresses, you may start to notice changes. Contact your doctor if you have any of these symptoms of prostate cancer:

• Frequent and sometimes urgent need to pee
• Weak urine flow that starts and stops
• Pain or burning when you pee
• Loss of bladder control
• Loss of bowel control
• Painful ejaculation and erectile dysfunction
• Blood in semen or pee
• Pain in your low back, hip, or chest

What causes prostate cancer?

Even though experts are not sure what causes cells in your prostate to become cancer cells, studies say it forms when cells divide faster than usual. While normal cells eventually die, cancer cells don’t. Instead, they multiply and grow into a tumour, and as they multiply, parts of the tumour break off and spread to other parts of your body. Luckily, prostate cancer usually grows slowly. Most tumours are diagnosed before the cancer has spread beyond your prostate. Prostate cancer is highly treatable at this stage.