This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
O.J. Simpson, 76, has passed away to prostate cancer. (Photo by Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images)
Former NFL player O.J. Simpson has died at the age of 76, after suffering from prostate cancer. Simpson’s family took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his passing on Wednesday, saying he died on April 10, “surrounded by his children and grandchildren.”
Simpson became an infamous American figure in the 1990s when he was trialled for the double-murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman — for which he was later acquitted.
On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.
He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.
In May of 2023, Simpson shared a video where he briefly mentioned he “recently unfortunately caught cancer,” adding he had to “do the chemo thing.” He added he began using marijuana to cope with the nausea, though he said he barely experienced nausea at all. He then mentioned he was “over the chemo,” after having both cancer and COVID-19 at the same time.
At the time, however, he did not reveal what kind of cancer it was and later denied being in hospice.
For many men, the prostate is often something that remains a mystery when it comes to their health.
Between the organ’s purpose and location in the body, to when you should seek help for problems or how to determine what issue you might have, the prostate can be confusing. Luckily, there’s a swath of information to help you learn more about the gland, and many celebrities and high-profile figures are helping spread awareness of possible prostate issues.
In late January, King Charles underwent surgery to treat his enlarged prostate, after being diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Other well-known figures have also opened up about their prostate problems, including stars like Eric Braden, Rod Stewart and Ben Stiller who have gotten candid about prostate cancer over the past several years.
O.J. Simpson mentioned he ‘caught cancer’ back in the first half of 2023, but kept his health a secret in the past year. (Images via Getty)
Dr. Danny Vesprini, a radiation oncologist at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, told Yahoo Canada in 2022 that while the prostate isn’t large (about the size of a walnut), its nature and location “certainly causes lots of problems.”
By the year 2040, annual prostate cancer cases worldwide are expected to double, with annual deaths projected to rise by 85 per cent. Read on to learn more about the prostate, its common issues and how you might be able to prevent discomfort.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small, rubbery gland that produces enzymes and proteins in the body. It’s part of the reproductive system and it’s located deep inside the groin, between the base of the penis and the rectum.
“The main goal of the prostate is that it produces between 60 to 80 per cent of a man’s ejaculate and, in particular, creates an enzyme called prostate specific antigen, or PSA,” Vesprini explained. “What that enzyme does is liquify the coagulum in the vagina to help with reproduction. So it allows sperm to swim more freely in the vagina.”
Urology, treatment of men’s diseases and prostatitis. Consultation of a male urologist for a patient with prostatitis. Anatomical model of male reproductive system, close-up
Prostate cancer can appear without any signs or symptoms in its early stages, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, and its symptoms can be caused by other conditions.
The signs or symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
more frequent urination, especially at night
a strong or sudden urge to urinate
weak, slow or interrupted urine stream
being unable to empty the bladder completely
having difficulty controlling the bladder (incontinence)
blood in the urine or semen
burning or pain during urination
discomfort or pain when sitting, caused by an enlarged prostate
painful ejaculation
trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction)
pain or stiffness in back, hips or pelvis that doesn’t go away
fatigue
This cancer can also, in rare cases, cause high blood pressure, fatigue and weight loss — known as paraneoplastic syndrome — as well as lead to kidney failure and spinal cord compression.
What’s the most common prostate problem?
According to Vesprini, the most common problem most men experience is that the prostate continues growing. While it might be the size of a walnut or ping pong ball in younger men, it typically starts to grow when men reach their late 40s and early 50s, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
“It’s one of the few parts of the body that still grows as we get old. And as men get older, they start to have more difficulties with urinating. That’s why older men get up to pee at night because they aren’t emptying their bladder sufficiently during the day,” he noted, adding men can experience a slower flow of their urine and may “start to spray a bit.”
Although these symptoms aren’t serious medical issues, Vesprini suggested they can impact a man’s confidence and quality of life.
“As we get older and the prostate gets bigger, the bladder may not empty fully and the flow starts to slow down, which is annoying but it’s common and there’s lots of remedies,” Vesprini added.
The Canadian Cancer Society also indicated the prostate is also close to the digestive and reproductive systems, meaning problems with the organ can impact those parts of the body, too.
Remedies for prostate issues
If you’re hoping to alleviate symptoms for non-cancerous conditions like BPH, the most common thing to do is to change your daily habits.
“Stop drinking in the evening or don’t drink lots of fluid before bed, which lessens the amount of times you’re urinating at night,” Vesprini suggested.
If that doesn’t provide relief, there are medications that help the bladder empty more sufficiently, or medications that shrink the prostate over time.
“For more serious cases, there are surgical procedures that can be done, but it has risks,” Vesprini added.
For prostatitis, the oncologist said anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or Advil can sometimes help, or using antibiotics may settle things down.
“Some men find that different foods or certain activities also trigger symptoms and thus they avoid those, but that’s unique to each person and you’ll have to go through a trial and error process to figure it out,” he explained.
Can I prevent prostate issues?
“You can’t really prevent prostate problems, and something like BPH is just a natural evolution,” Vesprini said. “The only way to prevent it from happening is to have no testosterone, which is what triggers the prostate to grow over time.”
He added since urinary problems and BPH are normal parts of aging, it’s abnormal for a man in his 70s or 80s to not have experienced any of these problems. In general, the doctor said in order to be your best self, you should work towards having a healthy heart, having a good diet and exercising frequently.
“It’s very important to keep on top of your overall health, and don’t turn to quick fixes,” Vesprini concluded. “Be aware of any changes in your body, and get screened if you suspect any issues.”
What is prostatitis and BPH?
In addition to common urinary problems, serious conditions such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can also affect the prostate.
Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate that can cause symptoms like painful urination and general discomfort in the groin, pelvis or genitals. According to
“It can be very uncomfortable and disruptive by causing pain or sexual dysfunction,” Vesprini shared.
On the other hand, BPH, or an overly enlarged prostate, usually affects men over age 40. As it grows, the prostate can block the flow of urine and cause bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
“Signs of BPH are difficulty urinating, a weak stream, or having a frequent need to urinate,” explained Vesprini.
Drinking less fluids in the evening can help ease BPH symptoms. (Photo via Getty Images)
How does BPH differ from prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is another serious issue related to the organ. It’s a disease where malignant cells form in the tissues of the prostate. While there are many overlapping symptoms between BPH and prostate cancer, they are two separate conditions, and BPH will not develop into cancer. Below are some of the symptoms between the two conditions:
Prostate cancer symptoms
BPH symptoms
• Problems urinating
• Trouble starting a urinary stream
• Slow or weak urinary stream
• Urinating frequently
• Needing to urinate more often
• Feeling like the bladder isn’t fully empty
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Strong or sudden urge to go
• Difficulty getting an erection
• Pushing or straining to begin urinating
• Pain in the hips, back or chest
• Difficulty getting an erection
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
• Difficulty ejaculating
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Blood in the urine
According to Advanced Urology, the main symptom that distinguishes prostate cancer from BPH is pain in the hips and back. Typically, that’s a result of cancer spreading or pushing on the spinal cord, which isn’t experienced by BPH patients. Instead, BPH usually has more symptoms related to urination, since the enlarged prostate impacts the urinary system.
Still, it’s best to see a health-care professional if you’re experiencing these symptoms, as it’s best to catch cancer early.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
