A doctor has highlighted a symptom of prostate cancer that often goes unnoticed following Sir Chris Hoy‘s heart-breaking revelation about his prognosis.
The six-time Olympic champion shared on Saturday (October 19) that he has been given just two to four years to live after initially sharing his diagnosis on Instagram back in February. “And just like that, I learn how I will die,” Hoy wrote in his new book, ‘All That Matters’.
A GP has now pointed out one commonly overlooked symptom, alongside other early indicators of the illness that people should be vigilant about. On TikTok, Dr Ahmed remarked: “Cancer in young people, it is getting more common.”
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He noted Hoy first experienced shoulder pain, which he initially believed was a gym injury – but it can often be the “first presenting complaint” of the cancer. Symptoms such as back pain, shoulder pain, and swollen lymph nodes may all point to the disease.
Regrettably, these signs typically suggest that the cancer has metastasised – meaning it has spread to other body parts– as was the case with Hoy, whose cancer has reached his bones. The GP also mentioned that the most prevalent early symptoms of prostate cancer are “urinary” and can include passing blood, needing to urinate more often or needing to pee frequently in the night.
However, these signs can be easily overlooked, particularly in the young.
While less common, abdominal pain, unexpected weight loss and tenesmus – the persistent feeling that you need to empty your bowels or bladder, even when you don’t – could also signify this particular cancer. “Like all cancers, the earlier we catch it, the more it’s curable,” he said.
“For example, if we catch prostate cancer at an early stage, almost all men will be fully cured.” He then tragically added that those who detect the disease after it has spread have just a 28% chance of recovery.
One in eight men will get diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime. It is most common among those aged between 75 and 79. The NHS said the common condition often develops slowly, so symptoms may not appear for years.
Diagnosis depends on blood tests, prostate exams, MRI scans, or biopsies, while early-stage treatments might involve prostate removal or radiotherapy.