For most of his life, perseverance has defined Alex Stieda. From his early days racing around Vancouver’s cycling tracks to becoming the first North American to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, Stieda has built his career and his life on determination, focus, and discipline. When he was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 60, he leaned on those same qualities to see him through one of the toughest rides of his life.
A Career Built on Determination
Alex’s cycling journey began in 1977 when he discovered that the explosive power he had developed as a hockey player translated well to the bike. Within two years, he had claimed every junior national track title and earned a top-five finish at the Junior World Championships. That relentless drive carried him through an impressive career: a bronze medal at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, an appearance at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and a groundbreaking moment in 1986 when he wore the yellow jersey during the Tour de France.
Racing professionally with the 7-Eleven cycling team, Alex learned to push through fatigue, pain, and uncertainty. Those lessons would later serve him far beyond the racecourse. After retiring in 1992, he stayed deeply connected to the sport, becoming a cycling commentator, coach, and co-founder of the Tour of Alberta. Even today, he remains an active competitor in endurance events such as cross-country skiing and mountain bike racing and runs Alberta’s premier gravel cycling event, Festivus of Gravel.
Listening to His Body
That discipline extended to Alex’s approach to health. “As an athlete, you’re used to taking care of your health and paying attention to your body,” he explains. “You know when something isn’t right.”
He had been diligent about seeing his family doctor and tracking his PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels for years, understanding his baseline and monitoring for changes. In January 2021, when he started experiencing urinary issues, he followed up right away. His doctor completed a digital test and felt a palpable lesion. A follow up with two PSA tests taken two weeks apart showed higher levels than normal.
A referral to an oncologist in Edmonton confirmed stage 3 prostate cancer. “The diagnosis was a shock, to see the words stage three cancer,” Alex says. “But because I’d been testing regularly, we caught it in time to take action.”
Alex underwent surgery soon after his diagnosis and, thankfully, has been cancer-free for three years.
Leaning on Family and Grit
Throughout the experience, Alex’s family became his strongest support system. His wife, who had faced her own cancer diagnosis as a teenager, and their children helped him stay positive through treatment and recovery.
“My wife knew exactly what I was going through,” Alex says. “Her strength was unbelievable, and our kids kept me grounded.”
For Alex, the mindset that carried him up mountain passes and through brutal training camps became a source of strength once again. “In cycling, when you hit a tough climb, you break it down pedal stroke by pedal stroke,” he says. “That’s how I approached recovery, one day at a time.”
The Importance of Early Detection
Now 64, Alex remains passionate about encouraging others to take charge of their health. He credits regular PSA testing and his proactive approach for catching his cancer before it spread.
“The PSA test saved my life,” he says. “It’s such a simple thing, but it’s crucial. Get tested every year. Know your numbers, and don’t wait if something changes.”
Alex is now a proud ambassador for the Prostate Cancer Centre’s MAN VAN®, Alberta’s only mobile men’s health clinic conducting free PSA blood checks for men across the province. To find a clinic near you, head to www.GetChecked.ca.
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