The former Newcastle United goalkeeper revealed last month he has the disease but feels lucky because it was detected in a PSA test, which he had immediate access to in Boston, where he lives.

He told Telegraph Sport: “The truth is we need to be more forthcoming with the threats and how prominent it is and the need for early testing…

“[Essentially they] aren’t recommended in the UK [without symptoms.

“They are here [in the US], and I insisted on getting one, even though there was no history.”

Of Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy – who was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in September 2024 and has been told his condition is terminal – he added: “I wish Chris Hoy, dare I say, had been afforded [a test] – and we are talking about a British Olympian, multiple gold medallist.

“I was able to be diagnosed and treated accordingly and I’ve got a few more laps around the sun yet.”

The 56-year-old former footballer thinks it is a particularly “concerning” issue because he had no symptoms or problems with illness despite his diagnosis of a “fairly aggressive” form of prostate cancer.

He said: “I’ve felt fantastic throughout.

“I think this is almost a concerning thing. I’ve not felt ill.

“[Chris’] experience could easily have been mine.

“That so easily could have been my experience, because I had no symptoms whatsoever.”