After a health scare, a former Ipswich Town player has spoken out about how exercise can affect the results of a PSA test to determine prostate problems.
John Peddelty, who played 44 games for Town and scored five goals before going on to work for Suffolk police for 28 years, said he wanted to raise awareness about the issue.
The 67-year-old had gone in for a routine PSA test, which determines the amount of ‘prostate-specific antigen’ in the blood.
Raised PSA levels may indicate a problem with your prostate, but they do not always indicate cancer.
John, who lives in Kesgrave, had become a regular cyclist to stay fit before the test. “Then I went for a blood test, and my indicators were up,” he explained.
Further tests were performed several weeks later, but PSA levels were normal, and there was no cause for concern.
“When they asked if I had been cycling, I replied, “Yes.” They said no cycling for two days before a PSA blood test because it could affect the results “He stated.
Strenuous exercise, according to Prostate Cancer UK, is one factor that can affect PSA levels.
“You may be asked not to engage in any strenuous exercise in the 48 hours preceding a PSA test,” the charity advises.
John stated that he was unaware of this prior to his test, and he believes that many others are as well.
He now wants others to know so they don’t have to worry like he did.
