Sir Chris Hoy and Prostate Cancer

User

Posted 21 Oct 2024 at 16:56

They do say don’t cycle before a PSA test because it can give a higher reading. So as you say, it looks like constant irritation over the years could cause it.

User

Posted 21 Oct 2024 at 18:49

Even if it were proved that cycling slightly increases the risk of prostate related disease, I think the exercise health benefits of the sport would outweigh that.

User

Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 05:44

Think you might have meant more than 5 to 10 miles a 'year', otherwise take your point.

Barry

User

Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 08:22

I know it is all anecdotal, I am also a cyclist and often wonder if there is a link between my hobby and my diagnosis. I had an undiagnosed pretty enlarged prostate, I say undiagnosed because, PC for me came before I was told I had a pretty large prostate! My only symptoms prior was waking up several times to wee during the night and sometimes was a struggle. I went for a PSA test only because my GP (who I happened to know personally as well) had died from the disease. This prompted me to do a test and as they say the rest is history!

Edited by member 22 Oct 2024 at 08:23 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 08:57

I too felt that the wording of news reports over the weekend could have been misleading, but everyone is different.

He is also trying to sell a book at the moment and perhaps that led into a bit of a headline from the publicists to boost sales.

A lot of us "incurables" on this forum have had the same / similar prognosis of 3 to 5 years.

I am all for a national screening program, but also want to see more done for the Incurables too.

Little is heard about new treatments such as Olaparib or Immunotherapy now widely available in the US to men in our condition, to help prolong our lives.

User

Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 17:42

Admittedly in my niavity, I would have thought that top/elite/professional athletes, artists etc are smothered in tests regularly, even just for insurance purposes? Also via really good private insurance, I'm sure the likes of BUPA must back a lot of sportsmen (men here justified as talking about prostates).

Surely a simple PSA blood test 'could' be a lifesaver when included with other tests?

Peter

User

Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 23:42

I don’t understand why the PSA test is not part our health checks? I went for my first over 40s health check this year and assumed it was included, when discussing it with the nurse she advised that I had to set up a telephone appointment with the GP for him to authorise it. I did this due to family history of PC, PSA was slightly high and here we are a few months later. I only knew to ask about the PSA test due to my father’s consultant telling me a few years ago to start requesting the PSA test once over 40. I get the feeling that the general population of 40/50 year old men don’t even know what PSA is. I’m not sure I would have known either if it hadn’t been for the family history.

User

Posted 23 Oct 2024 at 08:47

The Incurables...... I'll get my cape and mask👍

User

Posted 23 Oct 2024 at 15:42

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

The Incurables...... I'll get my cape and mask👍

We'd batter the Active Surveillance Gang!!

User

Posted 23 Oct 2024 at 16:38

Sorry my mistake. He was cycling 5 to 10 miles a day.

'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.' Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

User

Posted 23 Oct 2024 at 16:55

My first post on this. So here goes!

The tragic Chris Hoy news merits comment from me as the circumstances are very close to home. I got a metastatic prostrate cancer diagnosis in August 2024. 8 on the Gleason scale. In my pelvis and lower spine. Going through all the treatments and chemo starts in 2 weeks. Oh joy!! The diagnosis was discovered in a roundabout way from a routine MRI scan from what I thought was a torn hip ligament. I wish Chris all the best and he is an inspiration to us all. It was reading the piece on Sunday about him that I actually realised - after 6 weeks living with the diagnosis - that this for me is for real. That this PC does happen to people. Perhaps I’d been in denial since August!

But one thing bothers me and I wonder if I’m alone here? I’ve been a keen cyclist all my life. Last year I cycled for a second time solo from Los Angeles to the Atlantic Ocean. I don’t fall into any PC risk group apart from my age - 57. No PC in the family. But the link with cycling seems all too real. Is more research needed perhaps?? Something doesn’t sit comfortably.

Talking of which as this cancer impacts my pelvic bone I expect my next message on this will be to ask about cycling saddles!

To conclude I have to say what an amazing website this is. So much information which I found so useful. Thank you.

Anthony

User

Posted 23 Oct 2024 at 18:03

Hi Anthony,

If you were like me you would be very nervous about your first post but what an excellent one it was😊

i know there are members on here who have bought Prostate Friendly saddles…if you search you should be able to find them.

I think you might be better speak to your Consultant about cycling.

Good luck with the rest of your treatment and keep us posted.

Derek

User

Posted 05 Nov 2024 at 14:17

I've just seen the latest Sir Chris Hoy interview on the Beeb. It was heartbreaking when he explained how he'd told his kids of his diagnosis. His account of chemo was also upsetting. I admire him being able to tell it as it is.

Edited by member 05 Nov 2024 at 14:38 | Reason: Typo

User

Posted 05 Nov 2024 at 17:50

I find it irritating however that government has now decided to reassess the availability of PSA testing in young men with a family history of PCa because of Sir Chris Hoy. Why does it take the terminal diagnosis of a celebrity to make this change? Many of us have being saying this for years and utterly ignored.

Well done Sir Chris for being so open about his diagnosis.

User

Posted 05 Nov 2024 at 18:23

The full interview is on BBC this evening at 8pm. I think it will make interesting viewing.

User

Posted 05 Nov 2024 at 20:29

Wow! How emotional was that.

User

Posted 05 Nov 2024 at 20:31

OMG Adrian, it certainly was. Well worth watching.

Sir Chris Hoy….A True Legend!💪💪💪💪

User

Posted 05 Nov 2024 at 20:37

Watched it too, wow!

He looks so well.

User

Posted 06 Nov 2024 at 22:57

Quote:

We'd batter the Active Surveillance Gang!!

Why?

Roger

User

Posted 16 Nov 2024 at 07:08

I’ve just finished reading Chris Hoy’s book. A courageous book and full of inspiration.

Having only recently received this stage 4 diagnosis myself (with spread to the pelvis and lower spine) in August 2024 I have found reading this hugely beneficial - albeit a bit too close to home in parts.

But having now finished the book I do wish he’d included a tiny bit more detail on the cancer prognosis and treatment itself. No mention for example of Hormone Treatment or Gleason scores - just a load on chemo (which from a personal perspective he made out to be one of the worst things he’d ever done - I’m into chemo now and I’d take chemo over the Galibier or Alpe d’Huez any day!!). No one wants to appear over inquisitive and I’m not sure the mindset of how these cancer books operate - whether less information is better so to appeal to a wider market? But the Lance Armstrong book on cancer from 2001 left nothing to the imagination. I have spread to the lymph nodes, pelvis and spine. I’ve been told an average life expectancy of five years? Why is Mr Hoy talking about a 2-4 year life expectancy? This isn’t a criticism. Please do read the book. It’s just that as I progress in a period of 3 months from having zero knowledge on PC to now being at A-level stage (and soon probably to be at PhD level (!)) I’m soaking up as much information as I can. And it’s only by reading about other people’s prognosis can you take a stab at one’s own.

Keep up the good work Chris and I’ll try to be in Glasgow for the Tour ride!!

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