Prostatitis or Prostate cancer

[roger]

I am 53 years old and have had Prostatitis for at least 30 years maybe more. I have tried virtually everything at one time or another with mixed results. I am now wondering if I have prostate cancer and not prostatitis. The symptoms are apparently the same. It is my understanding that the PSA test isn't very reliable. Does prostatitis make it even more unreliable? Can a doctor detect prostate cancer with a digital exam? Or, do you have to undergo a needle biopsy? Ouch!

Thanks
Roger

[webslave]

I suggest you get a digital rectal exam (DRE) from your doctor if you are worried about cancer. You'll only have a biopsy if he feels something. Prostate cancer is not much like CPPS, in fact it is often painless.

[roger]

What about PSA testing? Does Prostatitis cause high readings that can be interpreted as being caused by cancer? I thought that cancer also caused a sense of urgency and the frequent need to pee.

Are people with prostatitis more likely to develop prostate cancer than others?

Thanks,
Roger

[webslave]

What about PSA testing? Does Prostatitis cause high readings that can be interpreted as being caused by cancer?

Yes, often it does, but not the astronomical levels CaP can give.

I thought that cancer also caused a sense of urgency and the frequent need to pee.

If you have a long history of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome and you have that symptom, it's probably not CaP, but have a DRE.

Are people with prostatitis more likely to develop prostate cancer than others?

No. See
https://ucpps.men/prostatitis-CPPS-and-prostate-cancer