DAVID WATSON: Sir Chris Hoy’s cancer blow can leave a lasting legacy
David Watson, manager of the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, was shocked to hear of Sir Chris Hoy’s prostrate cancer prognosis. Here he shares his own experience of the illness and urges men to get checked.
Like many others around the world, I was incredibly moved (and shocked) last month when Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy announced that his cancer diagnosis is terminal.
What a tragic outcome for such a sporting colossus, a man who seemed to be able to defeat everything in front of him, the man we all look up to as the epitome of strength, power and grace. And much more than being a world class sportsman, Sir Chris is also a world class human being. A better role model for how to live your life I cannot think of. He is everyone’s hero!
For someone so fit, so strong, and so inspiring to have been diagnosed with primary cancer in his prostate, which had spread to his bones, at the age of only 47 is almost unbelievable.
And there lies the most important aspect of this tragic story, the way in which Sir Chris will leave a legacy way beyond sporting achievement.
His diagnosis will hopefully reinforce the message that prostate cancer is not something that only happens to old men, and even if you are fit and strong, you may well, through no fault of your own, develop some form of prostate cancer.
I have first-hand knowledge of this as two years ago, just after I turned 50 (a relatively fit and strong 50 I’d like to think!), I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Fifty is young to be diagnosed (the most common age is between 70 and 75) but I’m also very lucky as mine was detected early, much earlier than it should have been. In fact, my consultant said to me, “How did we ever find you?!”
I was in good health and didn’t have any symptoms, I only went to my GP as I had a bladder infection, which is uncommon in men.
An initial blood test showed no indication of prostate cancer. But as there is a family history of prostate issues, my GP persevered. After a few other checks, and an MRI scan, that all proved inconclusive, I was booked in to have a biopsy just to make sure.
After taking 16 samples in the biopsy, three were found to contain cancerous cells. These cells were localised, contained and nonaggressive, and due to being found early I was diagnosed with stage one cancer. A good outcome, but it was still a shock to hear that I had cancer.
But as I said, I’m very lucky! As the cancer that they found was stage one, and as I have no symptoms, there is no need for me to have any treatment for now.
Prostate cancer often develops slowly, and there may be no signs or symptoms for years, and some people never develop any problems from it.
My consultant said that I could have gone another 10 or 20 years without showing any symptoms, so it is good that I have been diagnosed now so that they can monitor things without the need for treatment. This is called active surveillance.
As a result, I now go for a blood test to monitor my PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels every few months and I have an annual MRI scan.
Two years in and so far, so good.
But in others, such as Sir Chris, the cancer can be much more aggressive. The most worrying thing my consultant said to me was that 40 per cent of my friends from school probably also have prostate issues, “and they have absolutely no idea!”
And this is the biggest issue; even though more than 150 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every day in the UK, the majority of men go undiagnosed and may not even show symptoms. The reality is that most men are being diagnosed way too late, or not at all.
So, the legacy of this tragic but hugely inspiring story should be one of survival. If you’re under 50, your risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is very low, but it is possible. More men need to heed the message from Sir Chris, put pride to one side, and go and get checked.
Your risk of prostate cancer is higher if you have a close relative – a father, brother, grandfather or uncle – who has had prostate cancer. So, if you’re over 45 but have a family history of prostate cancer (and/or breast cancer in your female relatives) you should talk to your GP.
What harm can it do to ask for a PSA test, and then tell them you want another one in six months. Prostate cancer that’s detected early has the best chance for successful treatment and can greatly increase survival rates.
So, if you’re around my age, please make sure you get a test, the longer you leave it, the more aggressive the cancer can become.
Much better safe than sorry.
