Enlarged Prostate vs. Prostate Cancer: Telling the Symptoms Apart

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, so now is an excellent time to schedule your next prostate exam if you’re due for one. Prostate exams look for early signs of prostate cancer, which is helpful because prostate cancer often starts without any noticeable symptoms. 

If you had an abnormal prostate exam or if you have concerning symptoms, expert oncologists at Arizona Center for Cancer Care can help you find out if you have prostate cancer. They specialize in diagnosing and treating genitourinary cancers at offices in Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Sun City West, Goodyear, and Tempe, Arizona. 

Do you have symptoms you think might be related to prostate cancer? They could be signs of a more common noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. 

Common symptoms of BPH and prostate cancer

BPH is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in aging men, so you’re not alone if you have it. Both BPH and prostate cancer can place pressure on your bladder and urinary system, resulting in urinary symptoms that gradually get worse. 

Both conditions can cause:

• Urinary incontinence (trouble holding in your urine)
• A weak urine stream
• Trouble urinating
• Painful urination
• Frequent urination

Rarely, BPH or prostate cancer might cause blood to appear in your urine. Keep in mind that prostate cancer often doesn’t cause any symptoms until later stages. 

Key differences between prostate cancer and BPH symptoms

Some symptoms are unique to prostate cancer and don’t come from BPH. In addition to urinary symptoms, prostate cancer can cause pain in your back or pelvis. You might also experience fecal incontinence, or trouble holding your feces until you can make it to a bathroom. 

As prostate cancer progresses and spreads, it can eventually cause weakness, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, and unintentional weight loss. 

Risk factors for BPH and prostate cancer

It’s important to be aware of BPH and prostate cancer risk factors to determine your own risk level. Your risk of BPH and prostate cancer gets higher with age. You might also be at risk for these conditions because of your:

• Family history
• Weight (a high body mass index)
• Race or ethnicity (men of African American or Northern European descent are at higher risks)
• Conditions like heart disease or diabetes

Most experts encourage men to start getting prostate exams at age 45 if they’re at an increased risk of prostate cancer. 

Get in touch

If you’re concerned about your prostate health or have had an abnormal prostate exam, don’t hesitate to reach out, request an appointment with Arizona Center for Cancer Care today.