Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy says he has been “blown away” by the number of men seeking cancer advice since he revealed his terminal diagnosis.

The six-time Olympic champion, 48, said at the weekend that doctors have told him he has between two and four years to live.

In a video posted on social media, external on Thursday, Hoy said he had received “incredible kindness and support”.

“I now have a deep resolve to turn this incredibly difficult diagnosis into something more positive,” he added.

“I understand that there has been a massive increase in men seeking advice in prostate cancer in the last few days and that’s been a huge comfort to us to know that hopefully many lives could be saved by early testing.”

Sir Chris also said that he has written a book titled All That Matters, which will be released in November, about his illness and the story of his life since retiring from professional cycling in 2013.

He described the writing experience as cathartic for himself and his family, and said that he hopes the book can provide understanding around how families deal with a terminal diagnosis and to “remind us that all we have is now”.