THE EFFECT OF LONG-DISTANCE CYCLING ON THE PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVEL

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level has become an important tool in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. Screening for PSA has become more common in male subjects older than SO years. However, false-positive results of the test can often lead to excess expenditu res through unnecessary medical workups. Bicycling has been suggested as a possible cause of PSA elevation. We conducted a trial on 20 male cyclists aged 27 to 54 years who were recruited from a local cycling c lub. All subjects had an initial enrollment medical history and physic al examination with a digital rectal examination performed, and a base line PSA level measured. Subjects also had possible symptoms for benig n prostatic hyperplasia surveyed by the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire. Cyclists then had another measurement of their P SA level after a long cycling tour that they had all entered prior to joining the study (mean time on bike, 4 hours 37 minutes). No signific ant differences were seen in the PSA level at any time owing to bicycl e riding. However, most of the subjects did complain of numbness in th e perineal region. Therefore, we conclude that cycling does not cause elevations in the PSA levels in normal subjects.