That Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic champion track cyclist, has bravely spoken about his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis is a testament to the character of a man who has inspired thousands.
At age 48, and with the disease now having spread to his bones, doctors say he has between two and four years to live. It’s devastating for his wife Sarra and two young children.
It is a measure of the high regard he is held in the UK that in the days after he announced his illness, there was a near eight-fold increase in NHS searches for symptoms of the disease.
Here, should any man experience symptoms associated with prostate cancer, a test will be offered regardless of age, but it generally will only be recommended to those over 50.
However, not all men have obvious symptoms. Sir Chris said he initially thought he had aches and pains from working out in the gym.
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson, who was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2019 and underwent chemotherapy and surgery before getting the all-clear, said he was inspired by the Olympian’s story to ask the Health Minister at Stormont about lowering the age at which screening is offered.
He added: “I was watching Sir Chris’s really difficult journey in the documentary, and it highlighted the very difficult situation and how we don’t have a clear testing regime that is reliable for prostate cancer.”
It is well-known early diagnosis for any cancer can make the difference between life and death.
Quick intervention is key, and screening for cancers such as breast and prostate has saved countless lives.
Men can find it difficult to speak about and seek help for health conditions.
Someone as high-profile as Sir Chris going public will help change that.
But the treatment must be available when they do come forward.
Invasive procedures such as surgery can be minimised by early detection.
Minister Mike Nesbitt should commission a cost analysis looking into the money that could be saved by our struggling health service and put to other uses if more cancers were detected early through screening at a younger age.
It is a valid suggestion by Mr Dickson, who has been open and honest about his own health struggles.
Meanwhile, everyone will be united behind Sir Chris as he faces the most devastating of diagnoses and a tough journey ahead.