Sir Chris Hoy hails 'miracle drug' in fight against terminal cancer diagnosis

 Sir Chris Hoy has opened up on how he views exercise as a 'miracle drug' in his fight against terminal prostate cancer, insisting the general public would share his stance if it came in tablet form. The Olympic and Commonwealth Games icon revealed in September of 2023 that he had received a cancer diagnosis.

The following year, the now 50-year-old announced that the cancer had metastasised to his bones and that doctors had given him between two and four years to live. Sir Chris has shared his journey publicly ever since and most recently appeared at the Glasgow Games as a cycling commentator for HBO Max.

And the former champion cyclist has discussed how physical activity has aided him following his diagnosis. He told The Big Issue: "Exercise is a big part of my dealing with my cancer. There's numerous studies to show that exercise can improve the efficacy of the cancer medications. It can improve your time to relapse.

"If it was in pill form, it would be hailed as a miracle drug.

"Actually, for my diagnosis, it took a long time to find any positivity or opportunity from that really difficult situation. For me, that was saying maybe we can change attitudes to Stage 4 cancer."

Sir Chris has demonstrated remarkable bravery speaking candidly about his diagnosis, including when he revealed that the disease had progressed to Stage 4.

In the same interview, he stated that he didn't wish to create the impression that he had "cracked it", acknowledging that he experiences both good and difficult days in his struggle with cancer. "One thing I would say is, don't expect to feel positive and great all the time. You don't go in the gym once, pick up a dumbbell and go, 'Well, that's me strong now.'

"The mental side of a cancer diagnosis is probably the biggest challenge by far. The physical side is difficult, but the mental side is the real challenge.

"I don't want to present myself as someone doing really well, everything's great, I've cracked it. There are some days where it's really tough. There are ups and downs. You can get through the most difficult of moments if you bring yourself back to the here and now, and don't try and think too far ahead."