Sir Chris Hoy has shown that it became public with his own terminal prostate cancer diagnosis led to a friend's cancer being caught early.
The six -time Olympic gold medal winner announced last year that he was given between two and four years to live after he was told that the disease had spread to his bones.
But the bicycle large says he has received a 'new goal' because he encourages other men to be tested for prostate cancer.
Sir Chris said that the man, who is mid -50, and, like him, had 'no symptoms' never had a PSA (prostate -specific antigen) test'.
But he added: “He went to his doctor from the back of my diagnosis. His doctor said, “You don't really need one,” or “there are no symptoms, come back if you have problems,” and he pushed the problem and has had a test, and he has prostate cancer.
“He has been treated, and they caught it early, so that he is doing really well. But if it was left for a few years, who knows what could have happened. '
Sir Chris, who has two children with wife Lady Sarra Hoy, revealed in October that he had only had a few years to live after he had been diagnosed with primary cancer in his prostate who then spread to his bones.
His father and grandfather both got the diagnosis of the disease, but the 11-time world champion was not diagnosed until his condition was terminal because he had 'zero symptoms'.
Six times Olympic gold medal winner Chris Hoy (photo) announced last year that he was given between two and four years to live after he was told that the disease had spread to his bones
The bicycle large says he has received a 'new goal' because he encourages other men to be tested on prostate cancer. Shown: Sir Chris smiles through cancer treatment
Sir Chris, who has two children with wife Lady Sarra Hoy (photo), revealed in October that he had been diagnosed with primary cancer in his prostate who then spread to his bones
He told the BBC breakfast: 'I thought it was something I would control when I was in fifty; At a certain moment in the future it was something to do. As men, we are terrible in thinking about our health and prioritizing, so this is now my platform – to use it to try to notice men and actually take action. '
The 48-year-old said it helps to encourage more men to check for the signs so that they can be treated early, helps him to 'understand' his situation.
He said: 'I am now more than a year after my diagnosis and I have my head around it. But it is really difficult for the first few months. You are on an emotional roller coaster and when you find out that a friend is in a similar situation, it is really difficult.
“But it has lifted me, it gave me a goal. I have many things that I insist now, try to have men check their risk and go to their doctor if they run a high risk, but also screening. '
Sir Chris has also launched a charity project named Tour de 4 to help others get to terms with four cancer phase.
He admitted that after his retirement he had never thought that he would have 'only real goal' that 'was' even more important than chasing an Olympic gold'.
He said: 'Sport is great and I took it seriously and there are so many positives that come from it. But this is something that hopefully will save lives. '
