Prostate cancer symptoms as Chris Hoy issues new health update

The former Olympian shared his devastating diagnosis last year.

The cyclist was given two to four years to live after being diagnosed with primary prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. 

The 50-year-old is determined not to let his diagnosis hold him back, telling Sky Sports his treatment is now a part of his everyday life.

In his most recent update, Hoy said that he is trying to 'hang in there' as long as he can until new medicines arrive that could prolong his life.

He said: “It’s going relatively well and I’m just kind of cracking on with life…. You’ve got to find a way to enjoy the moment and enjoy the day but also put faith in the people that are doing all these incredible things.

“There could be an amazing treatment just around the corner if you can hang in there. There are a lot of issues with AI in the future and we have got to manage it well, but one of the real positives of AI has to be in the field of medicine and the rate at which we can develop and optimise new drugs for treatment in the future.”

Just a few months ago, Hoy launched a campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

The whole point of the campaign is to encourage men to sign up and get scanned so that the cancer can be spotted earlier.

Amazingly, 6,000 men signed up to the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative within seven days.

Speaking at the time Hoy said: “A stage four diagnosis changes your life drastically but I guess it's finding a new purpose, and today's event is all about trying to educate men about the importance of catching prostate cancer early. Early detection saves lives – that is the message to take away from today.”

Speaking to Sky News earlier this year, Hoy said: "I'm doing well. It feels like I've entered a bit of a stability stage at the moment and I'm feeling good.

"Most importantly, cancer's not the first thing I think about when I go to bed at night. I think we've got into a rhythm now where it's part of our life and we manage that and crack on," said the six time Olympic gold medalist.

"I feel good. I'm on constant medication, constant treatment, but it's not interfering too much with my life, and the most important thing is it's working, so I'm stable at the moment, everything's good.

"Making hay while the sun shines," he added.

With his time limited due to the disease, Hoy says he is determined to live everyday to the fullest.

 "I can't believe the position I'm in now compared to 18 months ago. I never imagined I'd be able to get to this point where I'm actually living life.

"And not just living life, but actually appreciating it more than ever. It's not just about doing bucket-list stuff and doing massive things, it's about appreciating the daily, mundane fun of life," continued Hoy.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer often has no symptoms at first.

Unfortunately, the cancer typically has to spread before symptoms come up.

Most of the first symptoms are:

• Finding it difficult to start peeing or straining to pee
• Having a weak flow of urine
• "Stop start" peeing
• Needing to pee urgently or often, or both
• Feeling like you still need to pee when you've just finished
• Peeing during the night

Other symptoms include

• Erectile dysfunction (being unable to get or keep an erection)
• Blood in your urine or blood in your semen lower
• Back pain and losing weight without trying to (these may be symptoms of advanced prostate cancer)

The NHS recommends men see a GP if they're over 50 years old or have a history of prostate cancer in your family.

They also recommend booking an appointment if you're having trouble peeing.