British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy has revealed he has incurable prostate cancer, and could have ‘two to four years to live’ – at the age of just 48.
The 11-times Olympic gold medalist said in February that he was having treatment for cancer, but did not say what form of the disease he had.
Fans were shocked today as he admitted his bleak prognosis, due to the fact that the cancer had spread.
While prostate cancer is typically diagnosed in men aged 70 plus there have dramatic increases in the disease in patients under 50 since the early 90s.
It’s not entirely clear why – as most prostate cancer is not clearly linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity, like other cancers – but there are signs men of all ages need to be aware of.
British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy has revealed he has incurable prostate cancer , and could have ‘two to four years to live’ – at the age of just 48
Fans were shocked as Sir Chris admitted his bleak prognosis, due to the fact that the cancer had spread
Mystery over causes of early onset prostate cancer
There are roughly 55,000 new cases of prostate cancer each year in the UK and the highest rate is in men aged 70 to 74.
It is the most common male cancer and more than 12,000 die of the disease annually.
There has been more than a 50 per cent rise in diagnoses overall since the 1990, but the biggest increases have been in younger men.
Prostate cancer diagnosed before the age of 55 is sometimes termed ‘young onset’.
Doctors are not sure why although changing demographics in the UK – black men are at double the risk of prostate cancer, compared to other ethnicities – may play a role.
Black men who have a direct relative, such as a father or brother with prostate cancer, have four times the risk.
The rise might also be due to better awareness, testing and diagnosis.
While there is some indication factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity and exposure to infections may increase risk, more research is needed.
How early onset prostate cancer is different
Sir Chris Hoy, 48, first discovered he had cancer last year and announced in February that he was undergoing chemotherapy.
In April, he said that the 18-week course of treatment was almost over and that he felt ‘excited to get that behind me’.
But it seems the treatment was not successful. Now Sir Chris has revealed that, sadly, he could have as little as two years to live.
Prostate cancer, if it’s caught early, is highly treatable. Overall, nine in ten men with the disease will survive for five years or more, and eight in ten survive ten years.
The outlook as far less good for advanced prostate cancer, with survival dropping to one to three years.
Prostate cancer in younger men is more likely to be diagnosed at this stage – as was the case for Sir Chris – which leads experts to believe it’s a more aggressive type.
The easy-to-dismiss symptoms no man should ignore
Because prostate cancer, like other cancers, are best treated in earlier stages, experts say all adult men should be aware of changes that could be a sign of the disease.
The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut, situated just below the bladder in men. It plays a vital role in semen production and ejaculation.
Due to its location, it most commonly causes urinary symptoms. If a man notices these, its important to speak to a GP and discuss whether something called a PSA test might be warranted.
PSA stands for prostate specific antigen, a hormone that’s produced by the prostate in higher amounts if there is a problem with the gland.
One of the most common signs something is wrong with the prostate is a change in urinary frequency.
While the amount people urinate can vary widely – anything between four and ten or so times can be seen as normal – it’s a noticeable increase that experts say men need to be aware of.
Sudden urges – needing to rush to the loo – may also be a sign of a problem.
This could be coupled with difficulty in starting to pee, known medically as hesitancy.
Straining or taking a long time to empty the bladder, a weaker than normal flow and the feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied are also symptoms.
Blood in the urine or semen should also be checked out by a doctor without delay.
These symptoms generally do not mean a man has prostate cancer – more often than not, it could simply be a sign of benign prostate problems that affect more than half of men.
However they should be investigated by a GP and, if a cause cannot be found, a referral to an experienced urologist should be made.
Signs of advanced cancer that may have spread include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite and unexpected weight loss, fatigue and pain in the testicles.
Sir Chris was first diagnosed after visiting the doctor with pain in his shoulder. Scans later revealed this was being caused by a tumour that has spread from the prostate.
While advanced prostate cancer can cause urinary symptoms, it doesn’t always.
What you should if if you’re worried
The NHS states that any man over the age of 50 can request a PSA test from the GP regardless of symptoms.
A PSA test alone can’t diagnose prostate cancer – sexual activity, vigorous exercise, certain medications, urinary infections and benign prostate enlargement, all of which are very common, can raise PSA.
However coupled with symptoms it may warrant an examination of the prostate and possibly further testing.
For more information about prostate health visit Prostate Cancer UK.
If a younger man is suffering any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, a PSA test and prostate exam might be worthwhile.
The NHS states that any man over the age of 50 can request a PSA test from the GP regardless of symptoms
Liverpool-based prostate surgeon Mr Marc Lucky said: ‘Any man concerned about their prostate from the age of 45 should be offered a PSA test.
‘It’s important to discuss changes in urinary patterns with the doctor as well as any other reasons for concern.’
PSA test are also available from private doctors and there are home tests available from pharmacists, costing from as little as £30.
‘If a younger man gets an abnormal result it might warrant a referral to an experienced urologist who can carry out an examination and other tests,’ adds Mr Lucky.
