Latest news with #prostatecancer
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Brave Sir Chris Hoy's cancer openness is helping to save lives as Olympic hero says his Instagram is 'stacked' with messages from men saying they have been spurred on to get tested
Sir Chris Hoy has backed early prostate screening to catch cancer, saying his own diagnosis has 'saved lives' of men across the country. Last year the six-time Olympic winner revealed he had terminal prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones. But far from slowing down, the 11-time world champion track cyclist has turned his attention to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. 'Prostate is the most common cancer in England [in men] so I believe we need to be more proactive in how we screen,' he told the Sunday Times. 'Look at my situation.' Sir Chris, 49, has a family history of the disease but had no symptoms and no warnings before the shock diagnosis last year. 'I would not have got a PSA [blood] test if I'd just gone to a regular GP,' he said. 'They'd have said, 'Come back when you're 50'. But by that point it would have been too late.' Prostate cancer can be largely symptomless in its early form, making it difficult to identify. Early diagnosis is also hampered by the fact that men often feel embarrassed to discuss such an intimate medical issue until it's too late. Consequently, around 20 per cent of cases – including Sir Chris's – have already reached the critical stage four by the time they are diagnosed. This means that the tumour has infected other parts of the body, usually making it incurable. Sir Chris said the inbox on his Instagram account is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. 'That gives me a huge lift,' he said. In a boost for the Mail's campaign to cut prostate cancer deaths, he said he would like to see the NHS proactively offer men tests for the disease, in a move that could prevent thousands of needless deaths.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Raising awareness of prostate cancer has given me purpose, says Sir Chris Hoy
Raising awareness of prostate cancer has given Sir Chris Hoy 'a purpose', he has said. One of Scotland's most decorated athletes, Sir Chris announced his diagnosis last year, shocking the sporting world. But far from slowing down, the 11-time world champion track cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist has turned his hand to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. The inbox on his Instagram account, he told the Sunday Times, is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. 'That gives me a huge lift,' he told the newspaper. He works alongside Prostate Cancer UK, which provides an online risk-checking tool that has been used by more than 180,000 men. 'That campaign has saved lives,' he said. 'And you know, in all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. 'So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. 'In difficult moments you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform.' Since his own diagnosis, it was announced his wife Sarra had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Asked about his wife's illness, Sir Chris says she 'doesn't talk about it a massive amount'. 'I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table,' he said. 'It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. 'When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' 'It's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.'
CNN
8 hours ago
- General
- CNN
What a urologist wants you to know about prostate screening
When I learned that former President Joe Biden had not undergone prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening since 2014—and was later diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer—I knew there would be renewed interest and debate about prostate cancer screening guidelines. As a urologist, I regularly discuss the complexities surrounding PSA testing with my patients. The PSA test remains valuable for early detection, but it continues to generate controversy due to its limitations. Here's what you should know about PSA screening, why medical guidelines vary and why individualized approaches are essential. Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by the prostate. The PSA blood test measures this protein to help screen for prostate cancer. Typically, a PSA level above 4 on lab results is flagged as 'abnormal,' prompting further evaluation. However, even PSA numbers below 4 can be concerning if they're rapidly increasing. That's why PSA tests are done annually: to monitor trends over time. Elevated PSA levels don't always mean cancer. Noncancerous conditions like an enlarged prostate, prostatitis (inflammation), recent ejaculation, stress or even strenuous activity can temporarily raise PSA. Ultimately, the PSA level is just a starting point for a deeper investigation (or conversation). Additionally, not all prostate cancers cause elevated PSA levels. Some aggressive cancers may produce normal PSA results. Ultimately, the PSA level is a starting point for further evaluation and deeper conversations with your doctor. The controversy around PSA testing isn't really about the test itself, but about how its results are interpreted and acted upon. Before 2012, PSA screening was routinely recommended for all men over age 50. I completed my urology training that same year, witnessing firsthand how dramatically the screening landscape changed almost overnight. In 2012, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine PSA screening due to concerns of 'overdiagnosis.' The worry was that screening could detect slow-growing cancers that may never cause harm but still result in unnecessary biopsies, anxiety, and treatments—some of which caused more harm than good. The recommendation led doctors to scale back, causing routine PSA testing to decline sharply. However, by 2018, new research and rising concerns about aggressive prostate cancers led the USPSTF to revise their recommendations again, advising men aged 55 to 69 to engage in shared decision-making with their providers. This current stance emphasizes personalized discussions between patients and doctors, acknowledging that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to PSA testing. According to their website, the USPSTF is now working on another update, so we can expect further adjustments in the near future. As someone who experienced this shift firsthand early in my career, I deeply appreciate how critical shared decision-making and patient involvement are in navigating these complex screening choices. These ongoing changes in recommendations have also reinforced the importance for me as a physician to stay informed, continuously adapting my practice as new research and technologies emerge. Several organizations provide prostate cancer screening guidelines, including the USPSTF, the American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association (AUA). Each offers slightly different recommendations for both patients and health care providers. The USPSTF generally focuses on minimizing potential harm from overtreatment, while the AUA provides detailed, individualized recommendations based on clinical factors and risk profiles. Even after practicing urology for more than a decade, I still sometimes find it challenging to navigate these subtle differences in guidelines. Although I primarily follow the AUA guidelines—my overarching professional body—I've established a balanced approach that feels comfortable for me and, I believe, best serves my patients' interests. I start PSA testing at age 40 for men at higher risk, such as African Americans or those with a first-degree family member who has prostate cancer. For most patients, I typically initiate annual PSA screening at age 50. It's important to know that primary care doctors perform most prostate cancer screenings. Depending on their training, clinical judgment and professional guidelines, their approach may differ slightly from my take as a urologist. This highlights the importance of clear communication among you the patient, your primary care provider and your specialists. Only through these conversations can we create personalized screening strategies that align with your health goals. President Biden's case raises a question: Could earlier PSA screening have detected his cancer sooner, at a more treatable stage? We will never know for certain. According to current guidelines, stopping screening in one's 70s is considered appropriate. Perhaps there was a shared decision to stop testing. From a guideline perspective, nothing was necessarily done incorrectly. Still, Biden's diagnosis highlights the potential consequences of discontinuing prostate screening for an otherwise healthy older adult. Men in the United States now have an average life expectancy of approximately 76 years, with many living healthy, active lives well into their 80s and beyond. Older guidelines based on shorter lifespans now need updating to reflect today's longer, healthier lives. I believe that decisions about prostate screening in older adults should thus focus more on individual health status rather than chronological age alone. Changing guidelines based on longer life expectancy will require thorough research and evidence-based data. Consequently, updates to recommendations will take time. What you can do in the meantime is be proactive in your conversations with your doctors about not just prostate cancer screenings but all cancer screenings. Prostate cancer isn't the only medical condition subject to evolving guidelines. Screening recommendations for colorectal and breast cancers have also changed recently. Colon cancer screening now generally starts at age 45 instead of 50 due to rising cases among younger adults. Breast cancer guidelines continue to vary among organizations, but the USPSTF updated its recommendation last year to say that most women should start getting mammograms earlier. These frequent shifts reflect ongoing research and the importance of personalized, informed conversations between patients and health care providers. Historically, an elevated PSA test led directly to a prostate biopsy, potentially causing unnecessary anxiety and sometimes overtreatment. Today, however, we have more advanced PSA-based tests that help better identify significant prostate cancers. Advanced imaging, like prostate MRI, allows us to pinpoint suspicious areas before performing a biopsy, increasing accuracy and decreasing unnecessary procedures. Biopsy techniques have also improved, some shifting from traditional transrectal biopsies to transperineal methods, reducing infection risks. Treatments have similarly evolved, emphasizing active surveillance of low-risk cancers and minimally invasive focal therapies. These advancements have significantly reduced side effects and improved quality of life, even among older patients. In my office, I frequently discuss PSA screening with patients who are over 70. If a patient remains active and healthy and we anticipate good life expectancy, I generally recommend that we continue regular PSA tests. However, the final decision always belongs to the patient, after we carefully weigh the pros and cons together. If your doctor hasn't initiated this conversation yet, it's important for you to bring it up. And remember, regardless of age, promptly inform your health care provider about any new urinary symptoms or health concerns. Staying proactive gives you the best chance to maintain good health this year and next.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Sir Chris Hoy says raising awareness of prostate cancer has given him purpose
Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy has say that raising awareness of prostate cancer has given him purpose. The 11-time world champion track cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist revealed his diagnosis last year. Now, he has turned his hand to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. He works alongside Prostate Cancer UK, which provides an online risk-checking tool that has been used by more than 180,000 men. Chris said: 'That campaign has saved lives. "You know, in all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. 'So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. 'In difficult moments you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform.' READ NEXT: 'The best is yet to come': Popular cocktail lounge in Glasgow wins top award Chris revealed that his Instagram inbox is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. 'That gives me a huge lift,' he told the Sunday Times. (Image: Picture from Martin Rickett/PA Wire)READ NEXT: Football club attended by Premier League star says pitch costs have 'easily doubled' Since his own diagnosis, it was announced his wife Sarra had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Asked about his wife's illness, Sir Chris says she 'doesn't talk about it a massive amount'. He continued: 'I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table. 'It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. 'When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' 'It's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.'
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Raising awareness of prostate cancer has given me purpose, says Chris Hoy
RAISING awareness of prostate cancer has given Chris Hoy 'a purpose', he has said. One of Scotland's most decorated athletes, Hoy announced his diagnosis last year, shocking the sporting world. But far from slowing down, the 11-time world champion track cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist has turned his hand to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. The inbox on his Instagram account, he told the Sunday Times, is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. READ MORE: Orkney prepares to welcome athletes for the ultimate island showdown 'That gives me a huge lift,' he told the newspaper. He works alongside Prostate Cancer UK, which provides an online risk-checking tool that has been used by more than 180,000 men. 'That campaign has saved lives,' he said. 'And you know, in all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. 'So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. 'In difficult moments you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform.' Since his own diagnosis, it was announced his wife Sarra had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Asked about his wife's illness, Hoy says she 'doesn't talk about it a massive amount'. 'I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table,' he said. 'It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. 'When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' 'It's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.'
