Wes Streeting challenged on BBC Breakfast about Chris Hoy’s marketing campaign on prostate most cancers screenings
Wes Streeting has reiterated his pledge to look at screening younger men for prostate cancer after calls from Sir Chris Hoy.
Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris revealed last year he has “two to four years” to live following his terminal cancer diagnosis. He has called for more younger men, especially those with a history of prostate cancer, to see their GP even if they are under 50.
In November Mr Streeting ordered NHS England to review its guidance on testing for prostate cancer after Sir Chris’s “powerful” campaign for men to be screened in their 40s. On Friday morning BBC presenter Charlie Stayt pressed the Cabinet minister on the progress of the review.
He asked Mr Streeting: “And briefly, if I may, because we’re speaking to you as Health Secretary, could you update us on – you will remember well, as many people will, Sir Chris Hoy’s call for men to be screened in their 40s. This is in relation to prostate cancer. And you made various pledges at that time in connection with looking at that issue. What progress has been made? What’s happened?”
Mr Streeting responded: “We are actively looking at the case for bringing forward screening in the way that Chris Hoy and other campaigners have called for, and looking at the evidence, and we’ll come back on that shortly. We’re also looking at some of the encouraging diagnostics and treatments that are coming on stream as well. So as soon as I’ve got more to report, I will definitely come back and talk to you, either down the line or ideally on the sofa to report back.”
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Hoy, 48, confirmed in February that he had begun undergoing chemotherapy for the illness. However, he remained determined to attend the 2024 Olympic Games and eventually made it out to Paris. He spent time covering the Olympics in Paris, where Team GB picked up medals in cycling and a number of other sports. Hoy won medals himself at the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 games, ending his career with six golds and one silver.
