Olympian Sir Chris Hoy has shared a heartbreaking update about his cancer, which is terminal and spread to his body.

The renowned cyclist was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023 at the age of 47. He was told that he had just two to four years to live.

Even though Chris is focusing on living in the present, the terminal illness has taken a toll on his life.

Chris Hoy during his BBC interview
Chris has been given two to four years to live (Credit: BBC)

Sir Chris Hoy shares an update about his cancer

Chris Hoy appeared in the recent episode of Gabby Logan’s podcast The Mid Point. He spoke in detail about living with the terminal illness and its impact on his life.

He said his life was upended upon being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, which is “treatable” but not “curable”. Sadly, the disease has now spread to his bones, causing severe damage.

Chris was warned by doctors not to carry his six-year-old daughter, Chloe, as it can strain his bones and even break them.

As soon as you’re told this has been taken away, you suddenly appreciate everything, the basic things.

He said: “When I had scans, secondary tumours in my spine had actually burrowed into the bone so badly it had fractured.”

“When they saw it they were like, ‘We’re going to have to be really careful here, you can’t pick up your kids, you can’t do anything,’” the Olympian added. He was struck by the realisation that his health condition was “really impacting my life.”

Screenshot of Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra Kemp
Sarra was diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ multiple sclerosis after Chris’ cancer diagnosis (Credit: ITV)

He has cement injected into his spine

The fracture to his spine was so bad that the doctors had to use cement to fix it. He said: “So I had injections. They drill into your vertebrae and squirt this cement material. It sets, fuses and makes the vertebrae as good as new again.”

Despite the tremendous challenges, Chris is trying to stay positive. He’s back to lifting weights again after recovering from the spine injury.

However, the setback has made him appreciate the little joys of life. Chris said: “As soon as you’re told this has been taken away, you suddenly appreciate everything, the basic things.”

He added: “It’s like losing your wallet, when you find it, you’re not in a net gain situation but you’re so grateful for it.”

Now, he’s “doing OK.” But being warned by doctors against carrying his child deeply affected him. “The thought of not being able to pick up your child, the thought of that not being a possibility was horrendous,” he admitted.

Chris has been married to his wife Sarra Kemp since 2010. Unfortunately, Sarra was diagnosed with “very active and aggressive” multiple sclerosis just weeks after her husband found out he had cancer.