The NHS will review whether to change its advice on prostate cancer testing in the light of Sir Chris Hoy’s “powerful” call for more young men to be screened, the Health Secretary has said.

Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris, 48, has advanced cancer that has spread to his bones and is terminally ill.

In his first TV interview since announcing his condition, Sir Chris told BBC Breakfast how people with a strong family history can see their GP for a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test to help detect the disease. Should be considered after seeing.

PSA tests are not routinely given to asymptomatic men under the age of 50 but who may be at risk. Instead doctors are asked to use their judgment.

Sir Chris told BBC Breakfast: “It’s no big deal to me. Why wouldn’t they lower the age? Lower the age and allow more men to go in and get blood tests.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting told the BBC that Sir Chris makes a powerful argument. “That’s why I’ve asked the NHS to look at the issue of lowering the age.”

“This clearly needs to be an evidence-based, clinically-based decision,” he said.

• I’m more grateful for each day, Sir Chris Hoy tells BBC

NHS guidelines for England say that anyone can request a PSA test if they are over the age of 50.

And men of any age who have symptoms can also seek it.

But routine PSA testing or screening is not offered on the NHS, because experts say the test itself is not accurate enough to detect or prevent cancer. Doctors are looking at whether adding MRI scans to PSA tests could improve the situation.

The charity Prostate Cancer UK supported the call, saying more screening could potentially save thousands of lives every year.

Spokeswoman Chiara De Biese said: “One in eight men will get prostate cancer, but there is currently no screening program for the disease.

“If your father or brother has prostate cancer, or you are black, you are at highest risk of getting the disease, and we strongly recommend that you talk to your GP about getting tested by 45.

“Right now, you need to be aware of it and get yourself to a GP. Because prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, many men end up getting a late, incurable diagnosis – such as Sir Chris.”

Sir Chris spoke about the “complete shock and horror” he felt upon his initial diagnosis.

News came in September 2023 that he had a terminal illness, “completely out of the blue”.

“No symptoms, no warnings, nothing. I just had a sore shoulder and a little bit of pain in my ribs.”

And he talked about the “nightmare” he had when he found out wife Sarah had multiple sclerosis, and had to break the news to their two young children.

“We just tried to stay positive and try to say ‘You know what? This is what we’re doing and you can help because when I’m not feeling good, you can come and hug me. You can apply, you can be helpful, you can be happy, you can be kind to each other”.

He said he is grateful for the outpouring of support he has received and is focusing on positivity and hopes it can yield a good outcome.

His news inspired NHS searches for prostate cancer symptoms have increased almost eightfold in the next days.

“In some ways this has been the hardest year we’ve ever had in our lives,” he told the BBC.

“Maybe people seeing this or hearing about my story – just by asking their GP – will generate so much interest that the people making the decisions will say ‘You know what, we need to look at this. And in the long run this will potentially save millions of lives.”

He further added, “I know what the end result will be. No one lives forever. Our time on this planet is limited. Don’t waste your time worrying about things that are not so important. Focus on the things that are.”

“My outlook on life has changed massively. I’m more grateful, I’m more grateful for each day. It’s been a tough year and it’s going to be even tougher in the future, but for now, right here right now “We’re doing great.”

The NHS advises men to talk to a doctor if they think they are at high risk of prostate cancer. The risk of this cancer increases in man with age.

Cancer Research UK says the evidence so far suggests that people using PSA should be screened regularly Won’t help much in preventing deaths And men may instead undergo unnecessary treatments that can cause undue stress and potential side effects.

PSA is not a diagnosis. An increased level of PSA does not mean there is cancer. It can also be increased with other conditions like inflammation.

If you ask for a PSA test, your doctor may advise you to think carefully about the benefits and harms.

The full interview – Sir Chris Hoy: Finding Hope – will be shown on BBC One on Tuesday, 5 November at 20:00 GMT and will be available to watch then. bbc iplayeryou can also listen in full bbc sounds,