Published Jan 15, 2026

Six-Time Olympic Champion Chris Hoy, 49, Is ‘Not As Bothered By The Small Things’ While Managing Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Hope Amid Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Cycling icon Chris Hoy, 49, has revealed he’s managing prostate cancer while shifting his focus to living in the moment, staying positive, and prioritizing family.
Remember, a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer can feel overwhelming, but advances in treatment are offering increasing hope, making it possible to manage the condition and treat it more like a chronic illness.
“Although it’s a disease we can’t get rid of…it’s a disease that we control much better today than we controlled five or 10 years ago,” Dr. Vivek Narayan, a medical oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania, tells SurvivorNet.
Early detection of prostate cancer is important as it can help reduce the risk of cancer spreading to other organs. Screening for prostate cancer generally involves a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and a digital rectal exam to feel the prostate gland. The prostate-specific antigen is a protein secreted by the prostate gland, large amounts of which can indicate prostate cancer.
Though the PSA test is not always accurate and an elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer, our experts maintain that these tests are helpful. Make sure to discuss your options with your doctors and decide what screening should look like for you.
There are many different treatment options for both early and later-stage prostate cancer including active surveillance, watchful waiting, surgery, radiation, cryotherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. The disease is one where doctors may have differing opinions on the best treatment path to take.

Iconic Scottish track cyclist Chris Hoy, 49, says his battle with advanced prostate cancer has given him a new perspective on life, making him less concerned with “the small things.”

“It’s changed my outlook on a lot of things. I’m not as bothered by small things,” Hoy, a former track cyclist who secured multiple titles throughout his career, told BBC sports in a recent interview.

MORE: SurvivorNet’s ‘Men Beating The Odds, an Inspiring 12-Part Documentary Series Highlighting Real-Life Journeys of Men Challenged & Thriving After a Diagnosis of Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Hoy explained further, “I think I try and focus on the here and the now, enjoying the moment, making the most of today, and trying to find something positive in any situation.

“And even at the very least, trying just to reject negativity, because it brings you down.”

To help others facing cancer shift their perspective toward a more hopeful outlook, Hoy continued, “If you can just, in any situation, look for the positives and surround yourself with people that are the same.”

Overall, Hoy has shared that he’s in good health and is still able to engage in all the activities he loves.

He acknowledges that spending time with his family is a top priority and remains hopeful that he’ll be around “for a lot longer.”

The eleven-time world champion and a six-time Olympic champion previously went public with his diagnosis back in February 2024, where he shared an Instagram post announcing that his 2023 cancer diagnosis “came as a huge shock” as he didn’t have any symptoms leading up to it.

Although it’s unclear how exactly he’s managing the disease, aside from chemotherapy treatments, Hoy insisted earlier this year that he’s been “stable.”

He told Sky Sports in May 2025, “I’m doing well. It feels like I’ve entered a bit of a stability stage at the moment and I’m feeling good, exercising, riding the bike … busy.

“And most importantly, cancer’s not the first thing I think about when I go to bed at night. I think we’ve got into a rhythm now where it’s part of our lives and we manage that and crack on.”

Hoy added, “It feels like it’s been one of the busiest periods of my life, the past few months, just doing every … fun stuff, family stuff, work, travel.

“I feel good. I’m on constant medication, constant treatment, but it’s not interfering too much with my life, and the most important thing is it’s working, so I’m stable at the moment, everything’s good. Making hay while the sun shines.”

We’re delighted to see Hoy maintaining optimism and hope in his life, especially as he recently raised more than $4 million dollars this year through Tour de 4, a charity bike ride he launched to raise awareness and funds for charities helping those battling metastatic prostate cancer.

His charity took to social media to announce the news last month, writing alongside an announcement about how much money was raised, “Fundraising for Tour de 4 2025, our inaugural event, has now closed. We can’t thank you all enough for helping us achieve this incredible total – it has well and truly blown our original target of [$1,300,000] out of the water!

The Power Of Optimism: Finding Hope During The Prostate Cancer Journey

“We are so grateful to everyone who supported us, from those of you that took part on the day, to the extraordinary fundraising efforts, wonderful sponsors, hard working charities and a top team making it all happen behind the scenes. Fundraising remains open but will now go towards 2026 – watch this space for further information on our plans for next year which will be announced very soon.”

If you’re battling the same disease as Hoy, to help you along the way during your fight against prostate cancer, SurvivorNet has developed a series called Living With Advanced Prostate Cancer.

Treating Advanced Prostate Cancer: New Options Offer Hope

Being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer can be overwhelming, but there’s encouraging news. Thanks to recent medical advances, patients with late-stage prostate cancer now have more treatment options and renewed hope.

Metastatic prostate cancer, also known as stage 4 prostate cancer, means the disease has spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body. Treatment plans vary based on a patient’s overall health and how aggressive the cancer is. Fortunately, new therapies—like PARP inhibitors and next-generation hormone treatments—are expanding the possibilities for care.

“There are two primary situations in which you may be diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer,” explains Dr. Jeff Tosoian, a urologic oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“There are those who have been treated for local prostate cancer, and it recurs and spreads to other areas.”
“Or there are folks who never knew they had a localized prostate cancer and present with cancer, both in the prostate and in other places in the body.”

At this stage, some treatments are palliative—focused on relieving symptoms—while others aim to slow or stop the cancer’s growth. Although there is no known cure for stage 4 prostate cancer, ongoing research and clinical trials are offering promising new approaches.

Targeted Therapies and PARP Inhibitors

Targeted therapy is one of the most exciting developments in prostate cancer treatment. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which can harm healthy cells, targeted therapies are designed to attack specific cancer-related pathways, often with fewer side effects.

One such approach involves PARP inhibitors. These drugs block a protein called poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, which helps repair damaged DNA.

In healthy cells, PARP repairs DNA damage. But in cancer cells—especially those already weakened by treatment—blocking PARP causes DNA damage to build up, eventually killing the cancer cells.

Hormone Therapy and Bone Protection

When prostate cancer spreads, and surgery is no longer an option, hormone therapy becomes a key treatment. It works by lowering levels of androgens (male hormones like testosterone) that fuel cancer growth.

“The traditional standard of care for metastatic prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy or hormone therapy,” says Dr. Tosoian.

While hormone therapy doesn’t cure the disease, it can help slow its progression and manage symptoms.

Because metastatic prostate cancer often spreads to the bones, it can weaken them and increase the risk of fractures. Doctors may prescribe medications like bisphosphonates to protect bone tissue, reduce pain, and prevent further damage.

The Latest Treatment Developments

A Multi-pronged Approach

Most patients with advanced prostate cancer receive a combination of treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and sometimes surgery. Clinical trials also offer access to cutting-edge therapies that are still being tested but show promise for the future.

Though stage 4 prostate cancer remains a serious diagnosis, the growing number of treatment options means patients have more tools than ever to manage the disease and maintain quality of life.

What to Know About Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer is highly treatable, especially when caught early. And thanks to major advances in medical care, even cases diagnosed at more advanced stages can often be effectively managed.

How Prostate Cancer Is Found

Most prostate cancers are detected through routine screening exams. However, prostate cancer doesn’t behave the same way in every man. In some cases, it’s slow-growing and considered “low-risk,” meaning treatment may not be immediately necessary. In others, the cancer can be more aggressive and require prompt intervention. Because of this variability, there’s ongoing debate about when and how often men should be screened.

Who Should Get Screened?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men between the ages of 55 and 69 who are at average risk talk with their doctor about the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening. Most experts agree that men over 70 generally do not need routine screening.

SurvivorNet experts also advise men to consider personal risk factors—such as family history, genetics, and age—when deciding on a screening plan.

WATCH: What to Look for in Prostate Cancer

Possible Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

While early prostate cancer often has no symptoms, more advanced cases may cause:

Frequent urination
Waking up at night to urinate
Blood in the urine
Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
Pain or burning during urination
Pain in the back, hips, thighs, or other bones
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Early detection can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor about your risk of developing prostate cancer:

How does my family history affect my risk of developing prostate cancer?
Are there tests available to determine my genetic risk of developing prostate cancer?
Based on my history, genetic test results, and other factors, when do you recommend I begin screening for prostate cancer?
How can I prepare for prostate cancer screening?

Helping You Cope With a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

If you are facing a prostate cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.

“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.

WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.

If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.

SurvivorNet experts suggest that anyone who needs extra help coping with a cancer diagnosis to:

Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.