Cyclists and prostate cancer

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.

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.

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.

I am a cyclist- more casual nowdays but diagnosed with Gleason 8 and 2 lymph nodes in May '25. I cant help but think that if you have prostate cancer, cycling might exacerbate the break thru to metastic disease by pushing prostic fluid out into pelvic area where lymph nodes mop it up...over time, without treatment, the lymph nodes get over run and cannot contain the cancer and it starts to get pushed around thru lymphatic drainage system.

My theory anyway.. thoughts?

@jc76 Mine makes me come in for $290 to get my quarterly PSA and T test results. A rip off if you ask me.

@xahnegrey40 I had the same thoughts but could find no studies about it…

@chippydoo
I am lucky to have both Medicare and FEP BCBS which covers this.

Several years ago my Mayo PCP said he wanted to increase my PSA test to every 3 months because he saw an ongoing increase in my PSA. He said Mayo had for years been making the PSA test a patient decision.

He then said to me (again several years ago now) we are seeing an dramatic increase in stage 4 prostate cancer now and we started studying why the trend up. He said they found the increase started at same time they had moved to making PSA test patient do/or don't. He said Mayo believed but reducing the PSA test (age and frequency) they were not catching prostate cancer in early stages within prostate which he says had a high cure rate and now having to deal with it at stage 4.

I am glad I has such an outstanding PCP and decided to test me more often and monitor the results very carefully. Thus my cancer was caught very early per my urologist and my R/Os.

@jc76 Good job and congratulations on finding a good doc. About 10-15 years ago some genius stated psa testing was over rated and they cut way back on testing people. I'm on 3 month testing post radiation and adt for a year. Prayers and fingers crossed that I am one and done for ever or awhile at least. Do you have to go in for your results or can you get them through your portal?

@chippydoo
I like your I.D. it makes me smile.

Yes same thing my doctor told me about medical started thinking PSA over rated and became voluntary if patient wanted it versus being recommended. Then he said the rise of stage 4 cancers went up dramatically. Their research showed a connect to the time frame to not doing routine PSA tests.

One poster said a rising PSA is like a warning engine light on your car dash. You don't know what is wrong but you need to find out. It was right on. And my doctor did not like my engine light getting brighter and brighter.

No on having to go in to see results. Mayo Jacksonville has a portal system that they post your results immediately when done. It is usually within an a couple of hours from taking your blood. I get a message on my e-mail I have a test results and log into portal and there it is.

I usually see it before my PCP as he is treating patients. He will though send me a message about the test result and if good or bad or need to come in. It has been very good so far. I am 2 years 9 months since my diagnoses and my last PSA was .10 I had 30 rounds of proton radiation no hormone treatment.

I hope, as you posted, you are the one and done also. Stay positive!

I was an avid bike rider in 2023 when a routine physical revealed an increased PSA level. My primary care physician, also a cyclist, told me that I should have a repeat PSA test after not riding for a prolonged period of time as bicyling could cause a temporary increase in PSA levels. Unfortunately for me, after having my PSA checked in the winter when I had not ridden for months, my PSA was even higher. This lead to biopsy, bone and PET Scan and the diagnosis of PC.