A doctor has issued a warning about a prostate cancer symptom that often goes unnoticed at first after Sir Chris Hoy shared an update on his health.
The six-time Olympic champion was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer back in 2023, revealing last year that he had been told by doctors he had two to four years to live. "And just like that, I learn how I will die," Hoy penned in his book, All That Matters.
While his condition remains unchanged, Hoy said he has been able to 'improve' his condition by finding his lust for life again. He has even been going on cycling holidays, he told The Times. "It's nice that you can see progress," he said. "You assume that everything is heading one way, everything is getting worse, everything is going downhill, and it's not.
"I've been able to get fitter in the last 18 months. Post-chemo I've been able to improve."
Now, a GP has shared one symptom of this common cancer that is often overlooked, as well as a swathe of other early signs of the disease to be aware of. Taking to TikTok, Dr Ahmed said: "Cancer in young people, it is getting more common."
Dr Ahmed explained Hoy had initially presented with shoulder pain, which he mistook for a gym injury – but this can often be the "first presenting complaint" of the cancer. Back pain, shoulder pain and swollen lymph nodes can all be signs of the disease.
Unfortunately, these symptoms often mean the cancer has metastasised, meaning it has already spread to other parts of the body. This was the case for Hoy, whose cancer has now spread to his bones.
The GP added the most common early signs of prostate cancer are "urinary", such as needing to pass urine more often, having blood in your urine or waking up multiple times in the night needing to go to the bathroom.
However, he added these symptoms can easily be missed, especially in young people.
Other, but less common, signs of the disease include abdominal pain, tenesmus – the constant feeling of needing to empty your bowels or bladder, even if you already have – unexpected weight loss and "any new constipation", according to Dr Ahmed.
"Like all cancers, the earlier we catch it, the more it's curable," he continued. "For example, if we catch prostate cancer at an early stage, almost all men will be fully cured.
"However, if it's an advanced stage, only 28% of men will become cured."
Prostate cancer is considered common – one in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. It is more common in older men, particularly those aged 75 to 79.
According to the NHS, the disease usually develops slowly, and there may be no signs for many years. The condition is typically diagnosed using blood tests, a physical examination of the prostate, an MRI scan and/or a biopsy.
Treatment options of the disease at an early stage can include surgically removing the prostate or radiotherapy.
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