A recent article in Cycling Weekly focused on the facts and risks around Prostate Cancer. Cycling Weekly have kindly given their permission for us to use excerpts from the article.
Prostate cancer has been very much in the news over the last year – not least because of Sir Chris Hoy and a number of other higher profile figures revealing their diagnosis. Sir Chris is just 47 years old. In the 2 months following this announcement, Prostate Cancer UK (https://prostatecanceruk.org/) reported 238,000 men checked their risk online & 38,000 indicated a family history.
First off – Does cycling cause prostate cancer? “There’s no evidence of a direct casual link” says Dr Chris Ogden who is a leading uro-oncologist. And “the so-called ‘PSA jump theory’ – the idea that cycling raises PSA levels and leads to false alarms – has also been disproved”. Further to this, the article says “at most, it [cycling] can temporarily affect PSA levels. That’s why we suggest men avoid cycling for a few hours before a PSA blood test”
The biggest risk factor for prostate cancer is age. “Men over 50 are most at risk and if a close relative – a father, brother or uncle – has had prostate cancer, your risk is higher”
“For white men, the lifetime risk is around 1 in 8. For black men, it’s 1 in 4.” Those are shocking statistics.
Family history on your mother’s side can be relevant too. Dr Chris Ogden again – “if your mother or sisters have had breast or ovarian cancer, particularly linked to BRCA gene mutations, your own cancer risk goes up. That’s something a lot of men don’t realise. It’s not just your father’s health history that matters.”
Early stage prostate can have no symptoms in many cases which is why risk awareness is so important.
Red Flags and Risk Checking
You can check your risk of prostate cancer in just 30 seconds at prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker.
Key prostate problem warning signs to look out for:
● Difficulty starting or stopping urination
● Weak or interrupted urine flow
● Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
● Blood in urine or semen
● Pain or discomfort in the lower back, hips, or pelvis
● Erectile difficulties or unexplained fatigue
Note: These symptoms don’t always mean cancer – they can also be caused by benign prostate enlargement or infection – but they should always be checked by a GP.
The good news is that mortality rates are declining.
“Men over 50 should talk to their GP about a PSA test and if you’re at higher risk, start at 45”
And it is also worth noting that the traditional rectal examination is no longer routinely required. Although this member of the news team has had one before and can report that it’s not really much to be worried about.
And more good news – “cyclists are often fitter and more aware of their health … Moderate exercise is good for the prostate and for general health … for 99% of riders, cycling is a huge positive”
CW Gets Tested
Reminded of a family history of the deadly disease, CW’s senior editor David Bradford takes the test.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men: one in eight of us will be diagnosed with it. A family history of the disease raises the risk even higher. If one or more first-degree relatives (father, brother or son) have had prostate cancer, your risk can be raised from about 12% to 30% or even higher. These men are advised to take a yearly PSA test from age 45.
Editing this feature reminded me that two second-degree relatives (my paternal grandfather and uncle) died from the disease, which raises my risk to about 20%. Those with a raised risk – check yours via prostatecanceruk.org – can get a free annual PSA test on the NHS. Being just below the age threshold, at 43, I decided to order one via Medichecks (medichecks. com), and reassuringly the result came back within normal range. Still, it underlined the importance of getting into the habit of annual testing.
According to prostate cancer specialist Chris Ogden, all men should take a yearly PSA test from age 50. The case against PSA testing – and why there is no nationwide testing programme – revolves around the risk of false positives and unnecessary biopsies. However, these days most men found to have a raised PSA level then have an MRI scan, and only have a biopsy if it’s deemed necessary.
If you want to check out the full article then look for Cycling Weekly published 27th November, 2025 and the article “Don’t die of embarrassment” or simply click the link here: “Don’t die of embarrassment”. Our full thanks for Cycling Weekly for their permission.
