Sir Chris Hoy’s diagnosis shows it's time to change outdated approach to prostate cancer tests

Like so many of us across the UK, I was shocked and saddened to hear that Sir Chris Hoy – one of our most recognisable sporting figures and a multiple Olympic gold medal winner – had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer.

Recently, Sir Chris has spoken movingly about the impact his terminal diagnosis has had on himself and his family. And I'm incredibly grateful that he's chosen to share his story so that more men can learn about their risk of the disease.

Since his announcement, our 30-second online Risk Checker has been used more than 140,000 times. That's an extraordinary response that simply wouldn't have happened without Sir Chris bravely sharing his experience.

NHS guidelines are failing men like Sir Chris Hoy. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Yet, although I’m grateful to Sir Chris, I’m also frustrated that it still takes men like him coming forward to share their story to raise awareness of prostate cancer risk and PSA blood testing.

That’s because, unless they already have symptoms of prostate cancer, men have to learn about their risk themselves and ask their GP for a PSA blood test. The woefully outdated NHS guidelines tell GPs not to raise the issue proactively.

But prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its earlier, more treatable stages – meaning that, every year, thousands of men miss out on a cure because of these restrictions.

It shouldn't be this way.

We’re calling on the government to change these outdated NHS guidelines so that GPs can start having conversations with men who are at higher risk, and their option to get a PSA blood test, from the age of 45.

That includes men who have a family history of prostate cancer (like Sir Chris), and Black men.

If primary healthcare professionals (such as GPs and practice nurses) can proactively discuss prostate cancer risk and PSA testing with the men who are most at risk, it could save thousands of men from a late diagnosis.

Our call is backed up by the UK's leading prostate cancer clinicians and experts, as well as thousands of people like you who are supporting our ‘Faster. Fairer. Better.’ campaign.

If you haven’t already done so, you can join thousands of other campaigners who are calling for change right now by asking your local MP to back our first-year plan for the new government.

The simple form takes just a few minutes to fill out but, like Sir Chris Hoy, you could be helping to save the lives of thousands of men.

Write to my MP