Sir Chris Hoy: Campaigning for cancer screening should not be down to me
By Jane Lewis (BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter)
Published 4 minutes ago
Sir Chris Hoy believes the onus to encourage men to get tested for prostate cancer should not just be on high-profile individuals.
Hoy told BBC Scotland:
"It shouldn't just be down to high-profile individuals like Jeremy Clarkson or myself or any number of men who've been in a similar situation. There should be a more systematic and proactive approach to let men know about their own risk."
The six-time Olympic gold medallist was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer at the age of 47.
He continues to use his public platform to raise awareness, saying:
"I turned 50 recently and I got a letter through the post with a bowel screening test. I understand the PSA test isn't perfect... but actually, I think that's not a diagnosis issue, that's a treatment issue."
Hoy emphasizes the importance of knowing one's personal risk, noting that 10,000 men in the UK are diagnosed too late each year.
He urges men to take responsibility for their health:
"In the short term, until something more proactive happens you've got to take it on your own shoulders. It's not what you want to think about... but life's busy."
Hoy speaks ahead of his "'Tour De 4" charity cycle, an event he founded after his diagnosis, aiming to raise money and change perceptions about living with stage 4 cancer.
He also expresses support for Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn's campaign for increased funding for brain cancer research, hoping for positive outcomes.
"So far, it seems that the powers-that-be are listening," he says.
"I'm not going to give up."