Sir Chris Hoy on the revolutionary £42m prostate cancer trial that aims to 'save countless lives'

The 49-year-old, who is battling prostate cancer and has been told by doctors he has just two to four years to live, has given his backing to the new Prostate Cancer UK trial called TRANSFORM.

The £42 million initiative, billed as the biggest prostate cancer screening trial in 20 years, has been developed with the backing of the NHS.

The trial will involve hundreds of thousands of men, with the first due to be invited to take part in the study later this year.

Join the thousands of Scots who receive our newsletter every day

Sir Chris said: “The TRANSFORM trial could completely revolutionise the way men are screened and diagnosed. It’s exciting to be part of ­something so impactful – it could save countless lives.”

The six-time Olympic cycling champion added: “By the time my kids are grown, I hope prostate cancer won’t have the same devastating impact it does today. What we do now isn’t just for us – it’s for the next generation.

“It’s about creating a future where early detection and treatment are the norm.”

Men between the ages of 50 and 74 - or from the age of 45 for Black men - may receive a letter via their GP inviting them to participate in TRANSFORM.

A bio-bank of samples, images and data will be collected at a scale never seen before in prostate cancer research in a bid to fast-track treatment methods and diagnosis.

Sir Chris - a father-of-two - revealed in February last year he was undergoing cancer treatment, including chemotherapy.

He has reiterated his call for men to get tested for prostate cancer, whether or not they have symptoms. Both Sir Chris’s father and grandfather also suffered from the disease.

“I found out I had stage four prostate cancer without any symptoms,” Sir Chris said.

“By the time I felt pain, it wasn’t in my prostate any more – it was secondary cancer in my bones.

“If I’d thought to check when I was younger, maybe I’d have caught it in time. That’s why raising awareness is so important, so others don’t end up in the same situation.

“Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker takes just 30 seconds. You can do it any time of day, it’s so simple and easy.

“Men with a family history of ­prostate cancer or black men, who are at higher risk, need to be ­particularly vigilant. It’s not just about waiting till you’re 50. Often there are no symptoms, which is why we need to be pro-active. Getting on the front foot is crucial.”