Prostate stuff, effect on cycling?

[Racingt]

Hi guys,
Does having an enlarged prostate affect cycling in anyway?
Already use a slotted saddle, have done for years.
Can I continue to ride?

Thanks for all responses. May be asking about prostate cancer in 2 weeks, had biopsy yesterday....

[anniesboy]

Sorry I cant help regarding your query,however I had my bladder and prostate removed earlier this year.

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=92670

My recovery has been slower than I would have liked but I am riding again,recently had a week cycling in France.

No long distances, did forty miles on our tandem four days ago.

I bought a rido http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rido-r2-sadd ... prod23703/ but could not get on with it,quickly reverted to my Brooks.

Best wishes for your biopsy, I will keep an eye on your post.

[TonyR]

Hi guys,
Does having an enlarged prostate affect cycling in anyway?
Already use a slotted saddle, have done for years.
Can I continue to ride?

Thanks for all responses. May be asking about prostate cancer in 2 weeks, had biopsy yesterday....

Given the incidence of benign prostate enlargement - 50% of men at 50, 80% at 80 - and the age profile of cyclists, especially on CTC rides, the answer is almost certainly "Yes".

[Racingt]

Thanks Anniesboy. On tenterhooks for a fortnight now. The biopsy feels like a minor operation itself. An unpleasant one.

Pleased to hear you are active after your surgery, that must have been a very difficult time for you.
Must be hard to come to terms with.

I guess I phrased my question poorly. I should have asked will cycling worsen any prostate condition?
I expect there is not a definitive answer to that one, but interested to hear views...

Phil

[Vorpal]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84153&p=847103
might be helpful

[TonyR]

I guess I phrased my question poorly. I should have asked will cycling worsen any prostate condition?
I expect there is not a definitive answer to that one, but interested to hear views...

It can affect the PSA test you may have had but only by 10% so may lead to more cyclists being referred by screening.
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/articl ... ne.0056030

A recent study by University College London found no link between cycling and erectile dysfunction or infertility but it did find a small increase in prostate cancer incidence in regular cyclists. What was not clear was whether that was real or a result of regular cyclists being more health concious and therefore more likely to be diagnosed or the elevated PSA above leading to more being referred for check-ups. They concluded

‘We cannot say on the basis of our results that prostate cancer is caused by cycling. We would not recommend that people reduce their cycling volume. Cycling has many physical and mental health benefits that at present outweigh any risks it may cause’

http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10 ... .2014.0012

[NUKe]

No personal experience of what you are going through but good luck with it.
2 things I would say though ask your own medical practitioner if there is any reason why you can t continue cycling. Phrase it that way they are less likely to say no just . Also pain is great indicator of what we should and shouldn't do. If hurts don't do it.

good luck

[TonyR]

2 things I would say though ask your own medical practitioner if there is any reason why you can t continue cycling.

That assumes the medical practitioner has any understanding or appreciation of cycling. Some do, many do not.

[NUKe]

Exactly Tony so asking the question is there any reason why not. will coax them to give you reason why. leaving the patient to make an informed decision. Asking a doctor/ Nurse who doesn't understand cycling "Can I continue cycling?" will probably be met at best with " best not until this is sorted"

[TonyR]

Exactly Tony so asking the question is there any reason why not. will coax them to give you reason why. leaving the patient to make an informed decision. Asking a doctor/ Nurse who doesn't understand cycling "Can I continue cycling?" will probably be met at best with " best not until this is sorted"

Remember that even asking a medic the question "Is there any reason why I can't cycle without a polystyrene beanie?" will usually be met by shock horror and a truckload of spurious reasons.

[Racingt]

Thanks Tonyr, those articles are interesting.
Only 4 days after biopsy, and there's no way I can sit on a saddle!
Not really worried about that though, it was the long term effect that concerned me, and it sounds like there may be a link with long hours in the saddle, but it's all relatively unknown at the moment.
My instinct will be to carry on, with a slotted saddle and good shorts, and stop if in pain.
There are probably higher odds of getting killed by other road users to be honest.
That's me decided! Keeping on riding.

By the way, I do think men over 50 should request this PSA test., even without any symptoms.
This process isn't fun, but if there is anything that needs curing at least it will be caught early, and I have an improved life expectancy as a consequence.

Fingers crossed.

Phil

[cycleruk]

Hope the recovery is progressing well. I had some blood showing for a couple of weeks after.
The main concern will be cross-infection and I was given precautionary antibiotics.
By the way if your biopsy was anything like my first one - the scratch marks are still on the ceiling.

My original problem was urinary flow and, after tests, it was fortunately decided that my prostate was just enlarged and not cancerous.
I have a few cycling friends who have developed prostate cancer as well as many who haven't. One or two were exactly the same as me and a minor(?) operation to open up the urinary tract (cut away some of the prostate to relieve its pressure) has helped considerably.

to others:-
If you have any concerns about your "weeing" function such as going to often. Wanting to go again within a short time. Low flow or hard to start.
Then go and see your doctor.

[TonyR]

By the way, I do think men over 50 should request this PSA test., even without any symptoms.
This process isn't fun, but if there is anything that needs curing at least it will be caught early, and I have an improved life expectancy as a consequence.

The PSA test is very different to a biopsy and just requires a blood sample. Its worth having done. A Harvard study found that men who had an annual PSA test were three times less likely to die from prostate cancer.

[Racingt]

Yes, had two PSA's, then a consultant referral, another PSA, an MRI scan and a biopsy. I think this should be a thorough diagnosis.
i read Cornwells book on Waterloo to get me in the right frame of mind to be stabbed, but still bent the trolley during the biopsy
Tough afternoon!
I'm taking the right course of action though, it is easy to avoid the test, and the problem grows. The Government don't care because you've paid most of your taxes and about to become a pensioner, so from fiscal point of view, they would rather be rid of you. So it's a case of taking responsibility for your own health, and I don't think many people do...

[Racingt]

Biopsy results on 12 samples showed no cancer! Routine PSA monitoring for a while now.
Good result, I'm happy.
Asking the GP for the PSA test was a good move.