More cancer referrals after Sir Chris Hoy diagnosis

Sir Chris Hoy's announcement about his prostate cancer has led to increased referrals in Oxfordshire

Sir Chris Hoy's efforts to increase prostate cancer awareness have helped drive up referrals to specialists, an NHS trust said.

Between 100 and 150 more people a week in Oxfordshire are being referred for potential cancer treatment than in 2024, according to Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (OUH).

Officials think the increase has been triggered by public awareness campaigns like Sir Chris', population growth and the county's ageing population.

Sir Chris, a six-time Olympic cycling champion, announced last year that his prostate cancer had been diagnosed as terminal and that he had been given between two and four years to live.

Senior OUH managers appeared at Oxfordshire County Council's joint health overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday.

Felicity Taylor-Drewe, OUH's chief operating officer, said Sir Chris' impact was one of a number of recent important interventions that had got people's attention.

"[People] are absolutely influenced by celebrities. I mean this respectfully but the Chris Hoy effect, in terms of the prostate pathway, has particularly increased our referrals significantly," she told councillors.

"That might have the impact of finding cancer for some of these individuals so that's an incredibly positive thing."

She said the trust wants to continue finding, identifying and referring the right patients to ensure urgent slots are available for them rather than more routine care.

Other efforts are being undertaken to proactively find some cancers, including lung health screening, which is based in Oxford.