Good Lord! What a myth & muddle!
1. Men are often advised not to cycle for a period of time after RP as research suggests that cycling prevents the nerves from recovering which in turn increases the risk of the ED becoming permanent. John's uro advised him to stay off the bike for at least 6 months post op. However, he cycled throughout his RT 2 years later.
2. Competitive and very keen amateur cyclists have been shown to have a higher than average 'normal' PSA - this led last year to urologists being advised to check whether a man is a high-use cyclist when considering whether he needs a biopsy based on PSA. I also read a paper advising keen cyclists to have regular PSA tests in order to get a reliable baseline for future reference
3. Cycling, orgasm and some other activities (DRE included) within 48 hours before a test are thought to increase the PSA by up to 10%. There are two strategies to overcome this problem - either never do these things immediately before the test or do them and accept that the level may be a tiny bit higher than it would otherwise have been.
All in all, it seems to me that you could have been enjoying your bike all these years and have missed out. The new shape of seat certainly seems a healthier option as it is not going to massage the prostate in the way some people believe the traditional saddles do. If you are unsure, you could always ask your nurse specialist or phone your consultant's PA and leave a message requesting advice.
Edited by member 03 Aug 2014 at 18:22
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"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
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User
Be interesting to know figures for diagnosis of professional cyclists & keen amateurs perhaps. I recall a guy diagnosed in the U.S who was a professional cyclist and in his early - mid thirties. Perhaps just a coincidence in one so young.
I suppose if one was to design something to continually bruise & bash the prostate area a racing cycle saddle would look something like it. So I'd go for these newer saddles definitely ( if I had a prostate).
User
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen (or should that be Gentlemen and Lady?),
Thank you for your replies. They are all helpful!
I have taken encouragement from these communications and I have decided that I am going to buy another bicycle (probably with the modified seat) later in the year.
I have started going to the gym to return to some level of fitness before I do this so I can 'hit the seat running' if that makes any sense!!!
Thanks again
Dave Evans
User
May I please ask,what does RP and ED stand for?
Thanks
User
Sorry Christopher.
RP is radical prostatectomy or having the prostate removed by surgery. You will also see people using LRP which is the same operation but by keyhole.
ED is erectile dysfunction otherwise known as impotence.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
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User
User
I went for a fully spring seat, it looks a but odd when you look at the bike but once you have your bum on it who's to know?
I also wear the padded cycling shorts as well.
... you can never get enough protection http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif
cheers
Kevin
User
User
There was a study at UCH, London, that found that cyclists over 50 in age were more likely to get PCa than non-cyclists; even after taking into accountI always get numbness in that region, and have never found a saddle that prevented that. However, having had prostatectomy, I guess cycling is no longer a problem, although I avoid the days just before the routine blood tests.
User
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
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User
HI - I had RP in 2005 and follow up RT 18 months later. I took up cycling again about 4 years ago as a non boring method of getting some exercise. I had never heard of the relationship between PSA and cycling before. I am at the Royal Marsden - must ask them. Aside from that 10% in PSA is neither here nor there. Someone in the forum mentioned this as the difference cycling makes. Imagine - is a PSA of 20 or 22 going to matter or 4 or 4.4 or 100 or 110? None of these differences are going to cause your consultant to start treatment. I would say if you feel like cycling then go for it. You will feel a lot better in yourself which is worth a lot.
I suppose if you have not yet been diagnosed there is some sense in laying off cycling during testing but if you already have it then there is no reason not to cycle.