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 – Singles star Leylah Fernandez and doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski will anchor Canada’s five-player lineup when the team tries to defend its Billie Jean King Cup title in mid-November.
The 26th-ranked Fernandez, the 2021 U.S. Open finalist from Laval, Que., is the lone Canadian in the top 100 of the WTA Tour’s singles rankings.
Dabrowski, from Ottawa, is ranked fourth on the doubles list. The 2023 U.S. Open women’s doubles champion won mixed doubles bronze with Felix Auger-Aliassime at the recent Paris Olympics.
Marina Stakusic of Mississauga, Ont., returns after a breakout performance last year, capped by her singles win in Canada’s 2-0 victory over Italy in the final. Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino is also back and Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion from Mississauga, Ont., returns to the squad for the first time since 2022.
“Winning the Billie Jean King Cup in 2023 was a dream come true for us, and not only that, but I feel like we made a statement to the world about the strength of this nation when it comes to tennis,” Canada captain Heidi El Tabakh said Monday in a release. “Once again, we have a very strong team this year with Bianca joining Leylah, Gaby, Rebecca and Marina, making it an extremely powerful team that is more than capable of going all the way.
“At the end of the day, our goal is to make Canada proud, and we’ll do our best to bring the same level of effort and excitement that we had in last year’s finals.”
Fernandez, who beat Jasmine Paolini to clinch Canada’s first-ever title at the competition, is ranked No. 42 in doubles.
Canada, which received an automatic berth as defending champion, will play the winner of the first-round tie between Great Britain and Germany on Nov. 17 at Malaga’s Martin Carpena Arena.
Australia, Italy and wild-card entry Czechia also received first-round byes. The tournament, which continues through Nov. 20, also includes host Spain, Slovakia, the United States, Poland, Japan and Romania.
Stakusic is up 27 spots to No. 128 in the latest world singles rankings. Marino is at No. 134 and Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, is ranked 167th.
Canada will look to become the first team since Czechia in 2016 to successfully defend its Billie Jean King Cup title.
Malaga will also host the Nov. 19-24 Davis Cup Final 8. The Canadian men qualified over the weekend with a 2-1 victory over Great Britain in Manchester.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby plans to remain a Pittsburgh Penguin for at least three more years.
The Penguins announced on Monday that they re-signed the 37-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., to a two-year contract extension that has an average annual value of US$8.7 million. The deal runs through the 2026-27 season.
Crosby was eligible to sign an extension on July 1 with him entering the final season of a 12-year, $104.4-million deal that carries an $8.7-million salary cap hit.
At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas last Monday, he said things were positive and he was optimistic about a deal getting done.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion is coming off a 42-goal, 94-point campaign that saw him finish tied for 12th in the league scoring race.
Crosby has spent all 19 of his NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, amassing 592 goals and 1,004 assists in 1,272 career games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
MONTREAL – Tadej Pogacar was so dominant on Sunday, Canada’s Michael Woods called it a race for second.
Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion from Slovenia, pedalled to a resounding victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.
The UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Spain’s Pello Bilbao of Bahrain — Victorious to win the demanding 209.1-kilometre race on a sunny, 28 C day in Montreal. France’s Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step was third.
“He’s the greatest rider of all time, he’s a formidable opponent,” said Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind the leader in eighth. “If you’re not at your very, very best, then you can forget racing with him, and today was kind of representative of that.
“He’s at such a different level that if you follow him, it can be lights out.”
Pogacar slowed down before the last turn to celebrate with the crowd, high-five fans on Avenue du Parc and cruise past the finish line with his arms in the air after more than five hours on the bike.
The 25-year-old joined Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners in Montreal after claiming the race in 2022. He also redeemed a seventh-place finish at the Quebec City Grand Prix on Friday.
“I was disappointed, because I had such good legs that I didn’t do better than seventh,” Pogacar said. “To bounce back after seventh to victory here, it’s just an incredible feeling.”
It’s Pogacar’s latest win in a dominant year that includes victories at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Ottawa’s Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) tied a career-best in front of the home crowd in Montreal, but hoped for more after claiming a stage at the Spanish Vuelta two weeks ago.
“I wanted a better result,” the 37-year-old rider said. “My goal was a podium, but at the same time I’m happy with the performance. In bike racing, you can’t always get the result you want and I felt like I raced really well, I animated the race, I felt like I was up there.”
Pogacar completed the 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal near downtown in five hours 28 minutes 15 seconds.
He made his move with 23.3 kilometres to go, leaving the peloton in his dust as he pedalled into the lead — one he never relinquished.
Bilbao, Alaphilippe, Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Bart Lemmen (Visma–Lease) chased in a group behind him, with Bilbao ultimately separating himself from the pack. But he never came close to catching Pogacar, who built a 35-second lead with one lap left to go.
“It was still a really hard race today, but the team was on point,” Pogacar said. “We did really how we planned, and the race situation was good for us. We make it hard in the last final laps, and they set me up for a (takeover) two laps to go, and it was all perfect.”
Ottawa’s Derek Gee, who placed ninth in this year’s Tour de France, finished 48th in Montreal, and called it a “hard day” in the heat.
“I think everyone knows when you see Tadej on the start line that it’s just going to be full gas,” Gee said.
Israel Premier-Tech teammate Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Que., was 51st.
Houle said he heard Pogacar inform his teammates on the radio that he was ready to attack with two laps left in the race.
“I said then, well, clearly it’s over for me,” Houle said. “You see, cycling isn’t that complicated.”
Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Quebec City GP for a record third time on Friday, but did not finish in Montreal. The two races are the only North American events on the UCI World Tour.
Michael Leonard of Oakville, Ont., and Gil Gelders and Dries De Bondt of Belgium broke away from the peloton during the second lap. Leonard led the majority of the race before losing pace with 45 kilometres to go.
Only 89 of 169 riders from 24 teams — including the Canadian national team — completed the gruelling race that features 4,573 metres in total altitude.
Next up, the riders will head to the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland from Sept. 21 to 29.
Pogacar will try to join Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the only men to win three major titles in a season — known as the Triple Crown.
“Today gave me a lot of confidence, motivation,” Pogacar said. “I think we are ready for world championships.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2024.
