Chris Hoy cancer battle leads to referral spike

Sir Chris Hoy's cancer diagnosis has led to an increase in referrals - and subsequent treatment backlogs - at a Devon hospital, figures have revealed.

A performance report presented to the University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS Trust Board said there had been a 55% rise in prostate cancer referrals since November last year.

In October, six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris revealed that doctors had told him his prostate cancer was terminal.

The report said UHP had a backlog of cancer patients waiting for treatment following a referral and the awareness raised by Sir Chris was one of the "key existing challenges" behind the issue.

NHS targets state patients should wait no more than 62 days between the date a hospital receives an urgent suspected cancer referral and the start of treatment.

Trusts are expected to meet this standard in 85% of cases, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

UHP's board was told 118 urology patients were waiting more than 62 days in April - 46 more than the previous year - and 36 had waited more than 104 days.

The board was also told UHP fell short in April of the national requirement and its own improvement plan to communicate a diagnosis to patients with suspected cancer within 28 days.

"The key existing challenge was urology with a 55% increase in referrals from November 2024 following the publicity around the diagnosis of Sir Chris Hoy," a report from UHP's chief operating officer Jo Beer said.

The report added clinic space at the skin cancer unit was now "insufficient" following years of growth in demand.

An urgent piece of work was under way to assess sites which could enable expansion in order to diagnose patients in the expected time frame, the report said.

The figures showing more prostate cancer referrals at Derriford Hospital were described as welcoming news by The Chestnut Appeal for Men's Health.

The Derriford Hospital-based charity, which supports men diagnosed with prostate, testicular and penile cancer, said Sir Chris's diagnosis had led to a significant increase in testing and referrals across the UK.

Chief executive Lesley-Ann Simpson added issues did still remain around diagnosing prostate cancer as there was "no simple test" to detect it and demand for the charity's services was growing.

"Trials are on going for more simpler and accurate tests, such as a saliva test, which could release the burden on hospitals," Ms Simpson said.

"Until that time, charities like ours are also experiencing increasing demands for our services, and requests for support, whilst donations are in a decline."

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