Veloviews for June 23, 2023 – Does Cycling Cause Prostate Cancer?

While you are cycling, do you frequently experience soreness or numbness in your nether regions? This is a pretty common occurrence for both neophytes and seasoned veterans of the sport. And even though you might wear the best bib shorts on the market and use a high-quality saddle on your bike, and your fit is correct, these two effects can still occur.

Should you be worried, then, if you have this level of discomfort every time you ride and if you spend more than 9 hours a week on your bike? Well, maybe. A recent study dissected over at Cycling Weekly says there may be a possible link between cycling and prostate cancer in male riders.

What is The Prostate and Prostate Cancer?

If you’re an individual who participates in intense physical activities like swimming, running, or cycling, you probably don’t think too much about the effects these activities might have on your body. For male bicyclists, the biggest negative effect is the potential to damage the prostate.

What is the prostate? According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the male prostate is “a small, rubbery gland about the size of a ping-pong ball, located deep inside the groin, between the base of the penis and the rectum.” The prostate is important because it plays an important part in the production of semen for sexual reproduction.

If the prostate is damaged, semen can’t do its other main job. That job is to “protect the urinary tract and sperm from bacteria and other pathogens,” thus leading to the high probability of prostate cancer. And as a cyclist, the attenuated saddles we sit on compress that gland heavily. But does the activity of cycling really cause prostate cancer?

Areas The Study Focuses On

The risk for prostate cancer increases for men over 50. This fact has been known for a while. It is only recently, however, that risk has become more prevalent in cyclists who ride 8.5 hours a week. For me, this would equate to two to three 30 to 40 mile bike rides.

The assertion is made that if the rides are long and contain a lot of steady intensity, chances for the release of cancerous bacteria into the prostate, as mentioned earlier, is highly possible. But there are also additional factors that cycylists may experience.

• Inflammation of the Prostate
• Release of Testosterone
• The production of free radicals

Prostate Cancer Risks For Men and Cyclists Over 50

It’s important to note here that this Cycling Weekly article references two studies done about cycling and prostate cancer. A 2014 study suggests there may be link while a study done in 2020 does not.

The more recent study known as the “Koupparis Study” claims that there is no definitive link between cycling and prostate cancer. In fact, the study posits that cycling might actually help to reduce the risk. The people who are truly at risk are as follows:

• People who don’t exercise
• Those who have high levels of body fat
• A family history of the disease.
• A high fat diet

On the other hand, as the 2020 study points out and as already mentioned, cycling can help the body in many areas. It can do the following:

• Reduce Obesity
• Improve Psychological Health
• Stimulate Vitamin D
• Improve immunity to the growth of cancer cells

Last Thoughts

Prostate cancer is a scary thing to face along with the thought you might have it. A sure symptom could be the need to urinate more frequently, difficulty with urination, or the feeling that urination hasn’t completed. If you are having any of these problems, you should schedule a visit with your GP.

However, the fact that cycling, most likely, isn’t the cause is reassuring. And you may be able to correct the problems mentioned with exercise and better diet if you are diagnosed negatively.

Have a good weekend everyone and I hope you can have some good meals and get out for some riding!!!