The six-time Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist has urged health authorities to adopt a more structured national strategy for educating men about cancer risks.

Sir Chris Hoy, who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in late 2023, argued that spreading awareness should not depend primarily on celebrities sharing their experiences.

The sportsman, who has become an increasingly vocal campaigner for earlier detection since his diagnosis, said public health bodies need to take greater responsibility for informing the population about potential health threats.

According to figures released in June, Jeremy Clarkson was found to have prostate cancer during production of the most recent series of his agricultural television programme. The former motoring show host has since announced his recovery.

Both men have called for improved systems to help men identify and monitor their health risks more effectively.

Clarkson mentioned that upon reaching his fifties, he received a screening invitation through the post for bowel examination. He acknowledged that while the prostate-specific antigen blood test has limitations, particularly regarding unnecessary medical interventions, the solution lies in refining treatment protocols rather than diagnosis methods. The television personality emphasised that medical professionals should make those clinical decisions. He stated that understanding one’s health status carries significant importance.

Sir Chris described his current condition positively, continuing to approach daily life with as much normalcy as possible. He expressed that dwelling on anxious thoughts about what lies ahead provides no practical benefit.

The Glasgow-based athlete also drew attention to the concerning statistics surrounding the disease in Britain, pointing out that thousands of men receive their diagnosis at an advanced stage each year. Official data indicates the total number of men currently living with prostate cancer has grown substantially over recent years, while annual mortality figures remain considerable.

As part of his continued advocacy work, Sir Chris is scheduled to lead a fundraising cycling event in September. The charity ride will depart from and return to the velodrome bearing his name in Glasgow, with the initiative having already generated millions of pounds for British cancer charities. He maintains that better educational resources and screening programmes would enable men to take greater control of their wellbeing and facilitate earlier identification of the disease.