Anyone of the older guys here experience an artifically high PSA score due to being an ultra endurance athlete and cyclist? Just curious.
TT
Yes - avoid cycling for at least 72 hours (sex as well).
Not an older guy, but I work as a scribe for a urologist. The doc often tells patients that cycling can cause a slight bump in PSA, and suggests patients avoid biking and sex for 3-4 days prior to having blood drawn for a PSA.
Well this is a likely explanation. Did 5 hours on the bike Saturday, and another hour on Sunday. Had test Monday, and the score was through the roof (like a 5.4!!). I know it cant be right, and I strongly suspect this is the reason. Thanks.
Well this is a likely explanation. Did 5 hours on the bike Saturday, and another hour on Sunday. Had test Monday, and the score was through the roof (like a 5.4!!). I know it cant be right, and I strongly suspect this is the reason. Thanks.
While you may “know” and “suspect”, I’d still have it redrawn. Just in case. But I’m paranoid like that 
John
Oh I agree. I am actually getting biopsy in 6 weeks (the week AFTER my A race HIM). The weird part is the prostate is “tiny” and “uninflammed” says the doc, yet the score is through the roof, and that doesnt makes sense to him (or me). I have heard that lots of cycling can skew results, and its somewhat reassuring to hear this. But the biopsy will tell that tale, for sure. Like you, I am paranoid, and leave nothing to chance! 
I would get a repeat PSA prior to the biopsy if I were you. If your PSA has come back down the doctor will likely reconsider the biopsy. We often see spurious PSA tests with repeats being back to a normal level.
I would normally agree, BUT, I have family history on this issue. And, I am 54 years young.
Getting another PSA does not disqualify you from having the biopsy. It’s just another data point. For the $35 or whatever the test costs I would at least consider it. My grandpa has prostate cancer, and my dad is a couple years younger than you. If this was his situation, he’d be getting another PSA first. Thirty years from now if I was in this situation I would be getting another PSA first.
Hopefully just a bump from five hour ride. I’d also suggest another PSA drawn after some time off bike just to see any trend. Wish you good health!
Yep. Had biopsy and all is well. MD suggested Saw Palmetto. Now I just get up once each night instead of 3-4 times and PSA number is down.
well PSA is not a screening test for prostate cancer. If you’re worried about cancer get the biopsy. the PSA score is meaningless.
I went through this recently. PSA result was higher than baseline we have established. Doc wanted to do an ultrasound. I insisted on a retest. Second PSA test was inline with baseline tests. No need for ultrasound.
PSA is not perfect but if used correctly can give evidence of cause for a biopsy or further tests. Things such as changes in PSA over time and the speed of the change are better than just looking at one number.
The issue as I understand it with biopsies is that they often find some cancer leaving one with a big decision on what to do. Pretty much every old dead guy has cancer in his prostate. I guess the key is figuring out how aggressive the cancer is and what’s your odds of It killing you before some other cause.
Interesting. The issue for me is my PSA was 1.4 in 2008 (wasnt really doing tri then). I tested it again this February and it was 3.4 (I had started heavy training at this point), and tested it again this week and it was 5.4! This freaked out the doc, and me to some degree. I have family history of prostate cancer, and I have a world class Urologist I work with. He is the best of the best here in Boston. He feels strongly that based on the increase of the score over time, combined with family history, and compabined with my 53 years of young age, the biopsy is the sure way of knowing what the situation with my prostate is.
I feel fantastic, as fit and stromg as I have ever been. I am working out like a banshee, with lots of riding (QT2 of course), so I really believe its a false high score based on the riding volume and the HUGE cycling volume (100 plus miles in a day and half) I had right before the test. But, he feels its better safe than sorry. I think I agree with him.
Thanks for your feedback!
TT
Interesting. The issue for me is my PSA was 1.4 in 2008 (wasnt really doing tri then). I tested it again this February and it was 3.4 (I had started heavy training at this point), and tested it again this week and it was 5.4! This freaked out the doc, and me to some degree. I have family history of prostate cancer, and I have a world class Urologist I work with. He is the best of the best here in Boston. He feels strongly that based on the increase of the score over time, combined with family history, and compabined with my 53 years of young age, the biopsy is the sure way of knowing what the situation with my prostate is.
I feel fantastic, as fit and stromg as I have ever been. I am working out like a banshee, with lots of riding (QT2 of course), so I really believe its a false high score based on the riding volume and the HUGE cycling volume (100 plus miles in a day and half) I had right before the test. But, he feels its better safe than sorry. I think I agree with him.
Thanks for your feedback!
TT
I’d still recheck the PSA. I get his concern due to the change and speed of the change. Does he really think a couple weeks matters?
No, he is not worried about 2 weeks. Maybe I’ll take a week off after the HIM and recheck. I’ll give it some thought, so thanks for the suggestion.
PSA is not perfect but if used correctly can give evidence of cause for a biopsy or further tests. Things such as changes in PSA over time and the speed of the change are better than just looking at one number.
The issue as I understand it with biopsies is that they often find some cancer leaving one with a big decision on what to do. Pretty much every old dead guy has cancer in his prostate. I guess the key is figuring out how aggressive the cancer is and what’s your odds of It killing you before some other cause.
This is really good.
While the biopsy is a pain in the a$$ (literally) that is quite a bump in PSA. A re-test isn’t a bad idea, but there is little downside from the biopsy other than a couple days of discomfort. By the time your prostate is enlarged from cancer, you are pretty far along so it isn’t surprising that it appears normal. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 45; there were absolutely no signs. It was pure luck that I went in for a check up and my doctor insisted on starting PSA tests. You are at an age were the side effects of catching a problem early are minimal. Get the biopsy for the peace of mind. Good luck with the race and the biopsy!
While the biopsy is a pain in the a$$ (literally) that is quite a bump in PSA. A re-test isn’t a bad idea, but there is little downside from the biopsy other than a couple days of discomfort. By the time your prostate is enlarged from cancer, you are pretty far along so it isn’t surprising that it appears normal. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 45; there were absolutely no signs. It was pure luck that I went in for a check up and my doctor insisted on starting PSA tests. You are at an age were the side effects of catching a problem early are minimal. Get the biopsy for the peace of mind. Good luck with the race and the biopsy!It’s an interesting question whether or not to get screened with a PSA test. According to those not recommending screening, the risks of getting a biopsy (when no symptoms are present) as a result of an elevated PSA test are greater than not taking any action. The risk isn’t from the biopsy itself but the subsequent aggressive, potentially unnecessary, treatment.
If the biopsy shows an aggressive form of cancer, the decision to treat is straightforward. I think the dilemma occurs if the biopsy shows a less aggressive form of cancer. It’s difficult to resist treatment if you know you have cancer, no matter how small. But given that prostate cancer can progress slowly, it’s possible to live many years symptom free without the risks associated with treatment.
Prostate cancer claimed my father in law at the age of 82. He went through a pretty rough 6 years of treatment with numerous side effects resulting from the various treatments (hormones & radiation). It’s not clear to me that he wouldn’t have been better off to have just left it with no treatment.
I’ve been known to ride my bike and have never scored over 1.8. I was Abe Lincoln’s coach… 
-Robert