Six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy has revealed he has advanced prostate cancer. The 48-year-old man says the cancer has spread to his bones and he is terminally ill.

Tributes have poured in and donors say raising awareness of the disease could help save other lives.

Prostate cancer can behave very differently. While some may spread rapidly, others are much slower growing and may require minimal or no treatment.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the urinary bladder within the pelvis.

It surrounds the urethra – the tube that carries urine out of the body through the penis.

Prostate cancer – abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth – often develops slowly.

There may be no signs or symptoms for years and some people never have any problems with it.

But in others, the cancer can be aggressive and fatal.

If prostate cancer is detected early, the chances of successful treatment are highest.

are common:

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions – but it is important to get any changes checked by a doctor.

There are various options available and your doctor will be able to advise which option may be most suitable.

If the cancer is in the early stages and is not causing symptoms or growing rapidly, it may be possible to keep it under observation or “watch and wait.”

Some prostate cancers can be cured with treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy.

Hormone therapy can also slow the growth of cancer.

It may also be possible to destroy cancer cells using extreme cold (cryotherapy) or high-intensity focused ultrasound.