Sir Chris Hoy turned 49 on Tuesday and his wife Sarra shared a sweet update about the occasion
Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy celebrated his 49th birthday yesterday amidst his ongoing health battle. The sporting legend was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 2023, which has since spread to his bones.
While he was previously told that he has just two to four years left, both Chris and his wife seemed optimistic about yesterday’s celebration. “What a birthday,” Sarra Hoy wrote in a joint post with her husband on Instagram.
“Huge thanks to @cheftomkerridge and the entire team @handfmarlow for making @chrishoy1’s birthday so memorable! Exquisite food, excellent wine, made all the more special by the addition of @sirsteveredgrave who popped in to say hi – on his birthday too!”
Chris and Sarra have been married since 2010, and wed at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. They are proud parents to two children, son Callum born in 2014 and daughter Chloe, who arrived in 2017.
It has been a challenging period for the Hoy family following Chris’ diagnosis. Sarra has also been grappling with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS), a diagnosis she received shortly after learning that her husband’s disease had progressed to stage four, The Liverpool Echo reports.
In an excerpt from his recently published book, All That Matters: My Toughest Race Yet, Chris penned: “The future is a great unknown for us both now. There are moments where everything becomes unsteady and life feels too precarious, especially if we think too much about the future and the kids.
“Will we be around to care for our kids, will they be ok? Sarra’s treatment can only do so much and her condition is degenerative. But we find our way back from the pitfall of trying to predict the future.”
Sarra’s birthday post was quickly met with a wave of supportive comments as friends and fans expressed their well wishes. Among them was TV host Gabby Logan, who wrote: “Happy birthday – why are you not coming here for breakfast?”
Meanwhile, presenter Paddy McGuinness said: “Happy Birthday to the gaffer!”, as chef Ashley Palmer-Watts wrote: “Happy birthday @chrishoy1.”
How can doctors test for prostate cancer?
A PSA test determines the level of prostate-specific antigen in your blood, where increased levels could indicate prostate issues, according to the NHS. Prostate Cancer UK explains that ‘normal’ PSA levels are typically less than 3ng/ml, though this can vary due to factors like age and medication.
The NHS does not routinely offer PSA testing. However, you may be encouraged to have one if you are exhibiting symptoms of prostate cancer.
Blood in urine or semen, struggling to urinate or peeing more frequently than usual are among the potential signs of this disease. The NHS also explains: “You may be offered a PSA test if a doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be prostate cancer.
“If you’re having treatment for a prostate condition you may be offered regular PSA tests to check how the treatment is working. Men aged 50 or over can ask their GP for a PSA test, even if they do not have symptoms. Anyone aged 50 or over with a prostate can ask for a PSA test.
“There is a risk a PSA test result may not be accurate, and you may be offered tests and treatment you do not need. You can discuss the benefits and risks of a PSA test with your GP.”
