At Bute House, the fight against prostate cancer took a step forward as First Minister John Swinney brought together Sir Chris and Lady Sarra Hoy, alongside those with lived experience, doctors, charity leaders, and Health Secretary Neil Gray.
The roundtable was not about statistics or headlines but about listening to real voices and sharing stories that matter.
It was a conversation rooted in urgency, empathy, and a shared commitment to raising awareness, improving diagnosis, and making treatment more effective for men across Scotland.
The meeting came days after updated Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer were published, which now include specific advice on testing for men without symptoms.
These updates highlight that black men and men over 45 with a family history face a higher risk, a fact that makes awareness and early action even more critical.
John Swinney paid tribute to Sir Chris’s bravery, saying that since sharing his diagnosis last year, the Olympic champion has shown remarkable leadership in using his platform to help others.
He praised the honesty and commitment of everyone at the table, adding that early diagnosis is one of the most powerful tools in saving lives.
“I join with a great many others in offering my very best wishes to the Hoy family, and to all families facing the challenges of cancer,” he said, reinforcing that awareness efforts like these can make a tangible difference.
For Sir Chris, the mission is personal but resolute.
He spoke of the value in bringing together medical experts, policymakers, and people who have faced prostate cancer directly, stressing that awareness is the first and most important step.
“Knowing some of the common symptoms of prostate cancer can save lives,” he said, pointing to signs such as needing to urinate more often than usual, difficulty urinating, or the presence of blood.
His message was particularly urgent for black men and those with a family history of the disease, urging them to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and seek advice from their GP without delay.
What shone through most in the discussions was a shared determination, from world-class athletes to frontline doctors, to ensure that conversations about prostate cancer happen more often, happen earlier, and lead to lives being saved.
The Bute House gathering was a reminder that awareness is not just a campaign slogan.
It is a responsibility shared by communities, governments, health professionals, and each of us who can pass the message on.
