Sir Chris Hoy: NHS to review prostate cancer testing after cyclist calls for changes

However, in terms of actual usage a different picture emerges. Here comes in handy our good friend the acronym PCOS or even more simply PCI which are there for us all to make our life a lot more comfortable when the need for change arrives! Sir Chris Hoy’s cancer diagnosis “was the greatest shock of my life”, the health secretary has announced, prompting them to review whether to adjust advice regarding prostate cancer testing in light of Sir Chris Hoy’s “powerful” call for more younger men to get tested, the health secretary noted. Sir Chris, 48 years old Olympic cycling champion with advanced cancer that has spread into his bones is terminal; in an exclusive TV interview on BBC Breakfast broadcast following the initial news report about it earlier in 2018, Sir Chris explained how those with strong family histories should visit their GP for PSA blood testing to detect any possible disease early enough. PSA tests aren’t offered routinely to men under 50 with symptoms but who may be at risk, instead doctors must use their discretion when recommending such testing. Sir Chris told BBC Breakfast this seemed like an obvious decision: ‘Why wouldn’t they reduce age at screening?” Bring down the age to encourage more men to go for blood tests.” Wes Streeting told BBC that Sir Christopher’s arguments made an impressive case and is why I asked NHS to examine whether there’s enough justification for lowering it further. “Clearly, all decisions must be informed by evidence and clinical expertise,” he stated. NHS guidelines in England state that anyone over the age of 50 and men experiencing symptoms can request a PSA test from any provider; while routine screening with this test alone cannot reliably rule in or rule out cancer reliably. Doctors are exploring whether adding MRI scans to PSA tests might enhance outcomes. Prostate Cancer UK backs this initiative, suggesting more checks could help save thousands of lives each year. Spokeswoman Chiara De Biase stated, ‘One in eight men will get prostate cancer but there is currently no screening program.” “Your father or brother may have prostate cancer; and, as a black individual, the risk increases significantly; for this reason we advise speaking to a GP regarding testing from 45. “Right now it is essential to bring up this concern with one yourself – do so through self-awareness or any means possible – directly. As prostate cancer often displays no initial signs or symptoms in its early stages, too many men – like Sir Chris – receive late and incurable diagnoses of prostate cancer. Sir Chris was among Britain’s most decorated Olympians and revealed to Getty Images in September 2023 – much to their disbelief – he had no symptoms prior to learning of his terminal diagnosis, coming as “an absolute shock and horror”. It came completely out of nowhere for Sir Chris and came as “completely unexpected news”. “No warning signs, nothing. All I felt was shoulder and rib pain” and spoke of his “nightmare” of learning of wife Sarra having multiple sclerosis and breaking this news to their two young children. “We tried to stay positive. When she wasn’t feeling well, you can come give her comforting cuddles; be supportive; be happy; be kind’. This was our goal.” He expressed gratitude for all the outpouring of support they had received and was choosing to focus on positives that can come out of this trial. “His news led to an almost eightfold surge in NHS searches for prostate cancer symptoms over subsequent days. “This year has been the hardest yet for our family,” he told BBC. “Maybe people seeing or hearing my story will generate enough interest that those making decisions realize ‘we must address this’ and take appropriate measures.” “He said the long-term result would save millions of lives, noting “I know what will come of this: our time on this Earth is limited and wasted worrying about things that don’t really matter; instead focus on those which do.” My outlook has evolved greatly and now, more than ever, I find gratitude more easily than gratitude in life itself. While 2018 may have been hard, 2019 looks set to bring even greater challenges – however at present things appear stable.” “The NHS advises men who believe they may have increased risk for prostate cancer to visit a physician as soon as they suspect an increased risk. Men are at greater risk of prostate cancer as they age, according to Cancer Research UK’s findings, however screening people using PSA alone would likely not significantly help save lives, potentially leading to unnecessary treatments that might increase stress levels or cause additional side effects for individuals being monitored – PSA is only screening tool and cannot diagnose cancerous disease. An elevated PSA does not indicate cancer; in fact, an abnormally elevated level may simply represent normality for your PSA levels. Your PSA test results could also increase with inflammation. Before asking your doctor to order one, discuss its potential benefits and disadvantages carefully with them first.The full interview – Sir Chris Hoy: Finding Hope – will air live at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 5 November and later can be watched or listened to via BBC Sounds.