Cyclists and prostate cancer

Posted by ozelli @ozelli, Mar 19 5:41am

is it my imagination or do a disproportionate number of cyclists comment on prostate cancer message boards?

Not a joke. I have been involved in a variety of sports from sailing to rugby and have indeed met a few cyclists over time but it just seems to me that on a % basis, there is more than the average here on this message board.

Has anyone else had similar thoughts? I am thinking their PSA levels may be naturally elevated over time. Probably mistaken but doesn't hurt to ask.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Regarding the bike riding. I have not seen or been told any research that cites bike riding leading to or causing prostrate cancer. What research shows is that bike riding can irritate the prostrate and cause a rise in PSA levels. I also was told vigorus sex could do same but at 77 don't worry about the latter. I am an avid bike rider doing 25 mile rides and my PCP wants me to not bike ride at least 72 hours prior to PSA testing.

I have an excellent PCP that does enormous research on prostrace cancer, treatments, studies, and is always telling me about new research and studies. He said recently said new research to determine if the Space/Oar does contribute enough to reducing radiation damage to rectum to justify it and research on drinking water to move bladder away from prostrate and reduce radiation beams is justified.

I think I would do those procedures (and I did both) if any level of reduction of radiation damage to other organs and tissues. But he says some patients do not proceed with treatments worry about the procedure for Space/Oar and having to drink large amounts of water and of course holding it through treatments.

I can't praise my PCP (Mayo Jacksonville) for his caring and detailed treatments for me. Wish they were all like him. Calls me at home many times to go over tests and discuss issues.

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@trusam1

No prostate = no release of PSA caused by irritation to the prostate (the reason why bike riding *might* cause a falsely high PSA).

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I had the same question for my team at MSK: they said no cycling ONE WEEK prior to blood test, prostate of not.
My surgeon at NYU laughed and said “Bullshit!” I believe him for what has already been stated: no prostate, no pressure irritation, no rise in PSA.

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@heavyphil

I had the same question for my team at MSK: they said no cycling ONE WEEK prior to blood test, prostate of not.
My surgeon at NYU laughed and said “Bullshit!” I believe him for what has already been stated: no prostate, no pressure irritation, no rise in PSA.

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I agree. If you have had RP there is no prostrate. So how do you irritate a prostrate with bike riding if you don't have one.

Bike riding prior to PSA testing is widely known. Mayo, UFPTI, and other institutions do say it can increase PSA levels due to irritation to prostrate. When I had the Space/Oar put in prior to radiation they would not let me ride bike at all. Seems the pressure on rectum area can make the Space/Oar move or damage it.

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