Sir Chris Hoy's Courage Boosts Prostate Cancer Awareness

Sir Chris Hoy, the cyclist has expressed gratitude and amazement at the significant rise in NHS searches for prostate cancer symptoms after he publicly revealed his terminal diagnosis. The 48-year-old six-time Olympic champion recently shared that doctors have given him two to four years to live due to prostate cancer. Following his announcement, NHS England reported a staggering 672% increase in visits to their prostate cancer symptoms page with 14,478 visits in the 48 hours after the news compared to 1,876 the previous week.

The peak occurred on Sunday when 8,816 visits came in a single day. In a social media video, Sir Chris thanked everyone for the “incredible kindness and support” he has received and expressed hope that the increased awareness would lead to early testing and save lives. He also mentioned his upcoming book, All That Matters set for release in November which explores his illness and life after retiring from professional cycling in 2013.

He described the writing process as cathartic and hopes the book will offer insight into dealing with a terminal diagnosis while emphasizing the importance of living in the present. NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, Professor Peter Johnson praised Sir Chris for his openness, stating that his bravery could encourage men to seek advice sooner, potentially saving lives.

Sir Chris’ wife, Sarra expressed her admiration, calling her husband a “real-life superhero.” She felt “completely overwhelmed” by the public response, noting how Chris’ story is likely to help save countless lives. Sarra, who received her multiple sclerosis diagnosis shortly before her husband’s illness, added that watching Chris speak about his diagnosis showcased his strength and humility.