Cycling linked to prostate cancer, but not infertility

Conclusion This study has looked at the associations between the number of hours spent cycling a week and erectile dysfunction, infertility and prostate cancer in men over the age of 50 who cycle regularly. It found no association between the time spent cycling and erectile dysfunction or infertility, but did find a dose-response association with prostate cancer for men over the age of 50, with risk increasing as the time a week spent cycling increased. As the researchers point out, this type of study cannot prove causality (that increased cycling time leads to prostate cancer), only an association. Different study designs, such as randomised controlled trials, are required before we can draw these kinds of conclusions. There are several other limitations of this study worth noting: The survey was only sent to current cyclists. There was therefore no control group to compare the results with, and the results would have missed men who no longer cycle because of ill health. The study was carried out at only one point in time, so self-reported cycling may have differed if the men were surveyed at a different point in time. Factors such as the time of year when they answered the survey (whether it was winter or summer) may have affected their responses. Only self-reported data was required for classifying men as having erectile dysfunction in the past five years. It is possible that either men who reported having erectile dysfunction in fact didn't have this, or...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer Lifestyle/exercise Source Type: news