BPH does not cause prostate cancer. BPH is also not a direct risk factor for prostate cancer. However, if your prostate grows too quickly causing BPH, it can increase your risk of prostate cancer significantly. It can almost guarantee that any cancer resulting from such a condition will be aggressive and high-grade. While the two conditions are not similar, there is still a link between the two like the difference between BPH and prostate cancer symptoms are hard to find. This is mainly because the symptoms are quite similar and can easily be mistaken for the other. Given prostate cancer can be lethal, let’s explore the link between enlarged prostate & prostate cancer to understand how you can protect yourself from both.
 

Does BPH & Prostate Cancer Have A Link?
 

Yes and no. BPH and prostate cancer don’t have a direct link. However, in complicated cases of BPH, it can increase your risk for prostate cancer. However, you must know BPH by its definition can never become prostate cancer. The link between these two conditions often arises from the fact that they have very similar symptoms that are difficult to differentiate. So, let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between the symptoms of BPH and prostate cancer. 

Keep in mind that these comparisons are for your information only and are not an alternative to getting medical help. If you are above the age of 40 and experiencing these symptoms, you should definitely get medical help immediately to understand your underlying condition.
 

What Are The Similarities & Differences Between BPH & Prostate Cancer Symptoms?
 

Similarities Between The Symptoms

BPH and prostate cancer both can be caused by an enlarged prostate. So, there are a lot of similarities in the symptoms of both these conditions because an enlarged prostate will cause similar disruptions in your urinary health, regardless of the underlying condition. To help you understand, here are some of the symptoms that are similar between both BPH and prostate cancer.

• Difficulty in starting urination
• Difficulty maintaining a steady stream of urine
• Need to urinate frequently, especially at night when patients need to urinate more than twice
• Weak or slow flow of urine
• Not feeling like your bladder has completely emptied at the end of urination

These are some of the most common symptoms of both BPH and prostate cancer, and they are common between the both. Based only on these symptoms, it is not possible to diagnose if you have BPH or prostate cancer, without further diagnostic tests. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, it can point towards prostate cancer more than BPH.

Differences Between The Symptoms

Alongside the symptoms mentioned above, If your symptoms include

• Blunt pain in your pelvis, back, or hips
• Painful urination and ejaculation
• Burning sensation while urinating accompanied with blood
• Blood in semen

Then your condition could be prostate cancer and you should immediately seek medical help. Also, blood in your urine can be caused by BPH too. However, if you notice blood in your urine and also your semen, it can point more towards prostate cancer than BPH.
 

How To Differentiate Between BPH & Prostate Cancer Symptoms?
 

As mentioned above, while the symptoms have similarities, prostate cancer has differentiating symptoms like constant pain and blood in urine and ejaculation, which can point you towards it. However, these symptoms are often quite advanced and don’t show up even in early cases of prostate cancer. So, if you start showing any of the symptoms listed in this article, you should seek medical attention. It is only with proper medical diagnosis, you will be able to understand your condition, of whether you have BPH or prostate cancer.

Statistically, you are more likely to get BPH than prostate cancer as an ageing man, however, that does not help when you start showing symptoms. While BPH is not lethal like cancer, the treatment of BPH can also be long and expensive, if you don’t diagnose it or treat it accordingly. Similarly, if you try to diagnose yourself and you later find out it was prostate cancer and not BPH, you will have a very difficult recovery and treatment. 

So, get medical help when you start showing symptoms related to both BPH and prostate cancer. Early diagnosis can work wonders for both conditions allowing you to treat your condition and recover easily.

Conclusion

BPH and prostate cancer are both dangerous conditions that can adversely affect your life. It is important to be vigilant and go for regular medical checkups to ensure you are safe from both. So, if you are above the age of 40, take your prostate health seriously and visit MASSH for the best prostate care. We offer specialised treatment for any and all prostate conditions and even offer minimally invasive surgical treatment for BPH and other conditions. Visit our website or visit us today to learn more about our prostate care and treatment programs.