PROSTATE

WHETHER commuting, having fun with the kids, or taking holiday tours in the Alps, middle-aged men in Lycra are increasingly to be found on their bikes — but is this popular hobby damaging their prostates?

Concerns have been raised about injury to the perineum (the area of tissue between the anus and the scrotum) from the saddle.

This is said to be responsible for an increase in erectile dysfunction, infertility, problems urinating and even prostate cancer — but, I’m not asking you to stop cycling!

A 2014 study involving 500 cyclists reported a six-fold rise in prostate cancer among those who trained for more than eight hours compared to men who trained for no more than 3.75 hours a week.

But what was less widely mentioned in the media reports was that all the men in the study had a cancer rate three times lower than average.

WHAT TO DO: Cycling increases the risk of osteoporosis (loss of bone density), so it’s a good idea for keen cyclists to include weightbearing exercise such as jogging or squatting with weights into their training routine.

EXERCISE is very safe but if you experience chest pain or extreme shortness of breath after starting, consult your GP