The month of September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness and educate people on prostate cancer, its risk factors, causes, symptoms, and prevention methods.
It also brings up some frequently-asked questions, including the following: is prostate cancer linked to BPH?
In this article, we will dive into the details of prostate cancer and BPH, and explore if there is a possible connection between the two conditions.
Prostate cancer begins in the cells of the prostate. It is one of the most common types of cancer. If detected early when still confined to the prostate gland, there is a high chance for successful treatment.
Your risk of developing prostate cancer increases as you age. It is most common after the age of 50 years old. If a relative has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your risk may also be increased. Additionally, obesity is a risk factor. The cancer is more likely to be aggressive in those who are obese.
The most common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include:
BPH, on the other hand, is an enlarged prostate gland. It is a common condition as men get older. The prostate gland starts out about the size of a walnut, and as men age, it becomes enlarged.
Similar to prostate cancer, aging, family history, and obesity are the most common risk factors for BPH. Other risks include having a sedentary lifestyle and even erectile dysfunction.
Common symptoms include:
So, what does this mean? Is there a link between prostate cancer and BPH?
Simply put, the answer is no. While both conditions have similar causes and risk factors, having BPH does not increase your risk of getting prostate cancer. Benign refers to “not cancerous”, and hyperplasia means “abnormal cell growth”. Additionally, BPH is a very common condition for aging men, and does not necessarily mean that men who have it will also go on to develop prostate cancer.
However, the symptoms are very similar to each other. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is recommended to speak to your doctor to screen for possibilities of BPH or prostate cancer.
While BPH Canada does not offer any treatments for prostate cancer, we offer a variety of treatment options for BPH. These include medication, surgery, and minimally invasive surgeries (MIST).
Our experienced urologist will help you decide which treatment is right for you. Book a consultation with us today.
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