Sir Chris Hoy, the legendary British Olympian, has provided an update on his health nearly three years after being diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. The 50-year-old six-time gold medal-winning cyclist revealed in September 2023 that he had been told he had four years to live. If that prognosis holds, he would have less than 18 months remaining.
Hanging in There for New Treatments
In his latest update, Sir Chris said he is trying to "hang in there" as long as possible until new medicines become available that could extend his life. He expressed optimism that artificial intelligence could accelerate drug development. "It's going relatively well and I'm just kind of cracking on with life…. You've got to find a way to enjoy the moment and enjoy the day but also put faith in the people that are doing all these incredible things," he said.
He added: "There could be an amazing treatment just around the corner if you can hang in there. There are a lot of issues with AI in the future and we have got to manage it well, but one of the real positives of AI has to be in the field of medicine and the rate at which we can develop and optimise new drugs for treatment in the future."
Progress in Immunotherapy
Speaking on his podcast Sporting Misadventures, Sir Chris noted encouraging progress in immunotherapy treatments, which target cancer cells without attacking surrounding tissues. However, he admitted that immunotherapy is not an option for his specific cancer type. He mentioned a new trial drug that "may well have cracked it" and could be available soon, with remarkable success in trial patients.
Raising Awareness and Screening Campaign
Earlier this year, Sir Chris launched a campaign with rugby player Kenny Logan to raise awareness about prostate cancer, encouraging men to get screened. The initiative led to around 6,000 men signing up for the Scottish Prostate Cancer Initiative within a week. Reflecting on his diagnosis, he said: "A stage four diagnosis changes your life drastically but I guess it's finding a new purpose, and today's event is all about trying to educate men about the importance of catching prostate cancer early. Early detection saves lives – that is the message to take away from today."
