Former Scotland rugby star Kenny Logan calls for men to be tested for prostate cancer from the age of 45 in wake of Sir Chris Hoy’s diagnosis

Former Scotland rugby international Kenny Logan is calling for a national campaign to screen men aged 45 and over for prostate cancer.

The 52-year-old, who was diagnosed in 2022, insists too many people are dying because they are not encouraged to get tested.

And he has told Mail Sport that a program should be rolled out across Britain to identify the problem before it has a chance to worsen.

Logan’s demand follows Sir Chris Hoy’s recent admission that he has two to four years to live after his cancer – which started in his prostate – spread elsewhere.

The six-time Olympic gold medalist’s fate saw a huge increase in the number of men seeking advice about prostate cancer, and Logan says he would back a campaign in Sir Chris’ name to help future generations get faster access to treatment.

“Yes, I would definitely support this,” said Logan, husband of BBC sports presenter Gabby Logan. ‘Chris is a young man, he’s only 48. So why not test earlier? Forty-five seems like a good age. We tried to roll that out at 50, maybe we should change that.

Kenny Logan enjoyed a successful rugby career, winning 70 caps for Scotland

Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy recently revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer

‘We have to educate people, and doctors have to be more alert and say, ‘Okay, you have to get tested.’ There should be a national campaign for 45-year-olds, because this is the biggest killer for men. Fifty feels a little old. It should be something like an MOT. It should be the first thing that happens. You should go and get tested.

‘All this (the current situation) is putting more pressure on the NHS and on families? The way to attack it is to catch it early.”

At present, routine testing for prostate specific antigen (PSA) is not offered by the NHS, although a doctor may offer a test if he or she thinks a patient has symptoms. Men over the age of 50 can request a PSA test from their doctor, even if they have no complaints.

Logan was asked to take a test after listening to wife Gabby’s podcast, The Midpoint, about midlife changes for women.

As a result, it was discovered that there were high levels of PSA in his blood. A biopsy confirmed cancer and his prostate was removed.

Logan believes his prognosis could have been much more devastating had he not volunteered.

‘The only thing I want to say, which is very important, is that I had no symptoms. It wasn’t like people said, “Yes, I’m going to bed. I get up twice a night and go to pee.” I still do that and I don’t have a prostate.

‘You can actually prevent this by looking for it. That’s what my specialist said. The thing about prostate cancer is that you have to find it. So you must be tested thoroughly in advance. I came across it by chance. And I thought, “Okay, it has to come out.” So something definitely needs to be done about this.

‘If you can find something that prevents people from getting cancer, that will certainly contribute to the domino effect. There is more pressure on healthcare, more pressure on individuals. So is there anything in setting up a wellness clinic?

‘Obviously people can pay for them, but they shouldn’t be dismissed or misunderstood by their own doctors.

‘Go and do a blood test. And if your blood counts are high, you will be happy with that blood test. You’ll be glad you get it checked out. It’s so important.

‘I can’t imagine what Chris and his wife Sarra are going through right now.

‘I’ve known him for a while and knew he was struggling with this. I’m absolutely devastated for him.’

The Ny Breaking has relaunched our Endless Prostate Deaths campaign in a bid to improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

A recent NHS National Cancer Patient Experience Survey shows that men are being diagnosed too late and suffering preventable deaths because they have to fight to be taken seriously by doctors.