What is the prostate and how do conditions like BPH differ from cancer? Signs, symptoms and what men should know about their health | Canada News Media
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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.
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Whitecaps will begin their post-season campaign with a play-in game against the Timbers in Portland on Wednesday.
The ‘Caps (13-13-8) ended the regular season with a 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake on Saturday and finished eighth in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference standings.
The eighth and ninth spots from each conference meet in a play-in game this week, with the winner going on to face the No. 1 seed in the first round of the playoffs.
Each eighth-place team was set to host the play-in game, but Vancouver announced Friday that its home stadium, B.C. Place, is not available, so the club will cede home-field advantage to Portland (12-11-11), the ninth-place team.
The ‘Caps and Timbers split their three-game series during regular-season play, with each side taking a win, a loss and a draw.
The first round of the MLS playoffs is set to begin next weekend.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2024.
SANDY, Utah (AP) — Diego Luna scored a tying goal in the 73rd minute and Real Salt Lake added another on an own goal for a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night to set a single-season club record for points.
Real Salt Lake (16-7-11) secured the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference and will face Minnesota in the first round of the Major League Soccer playoffs. RSL reached 59 points this season, topping the 2012 team with 57.
Vancouver (13-13-8) will play the Portland Timbers on Wednesday in a wild-card game for a chance to play top-seeded LAFC.
Luna settled a long cross from Braian Ojeda before taking four touches to slot home a shot inside the far post for his eighth goal of the season.
RSL went ahead in the 83rd when Vancouver goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer misplayed a lofted ball that rolled into the back of the net.
Vancouver midfielder Ryan Gauld opened the scoring in the 58th to become the first player in club history to produce multiple seasons with at least 10 goals and 10 assists.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Juan Soto’s arrival last winter was supposed to be that move that pushed the New York Yankees back to the top.
They’re one step away.
Soto hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the Yankees advanced to their 41st World Series — and first in 15 years — by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night.
Baseball’s biggest brand is going back to October’s main stage.
Soto, who was acquired in a seven-player trade from San Diego in December, pushed the Bronx Bombers into position with one big swing.
This was why he came, for this moment and for so many more.
“We’re right where we belong,” said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who pulled off the deal for Soto.
The Yankees will try to win their 28th title against either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 6 of the NL Championship Series is on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
In the third consecutive tight game in three nights at Progressive Field, Austin Wells walked with one out in the 10th and Alex Verdugo followed with a grounder to Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez, whose soft toss to the bag was dropped by rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio for an error.
Hunter Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres and had Soto in a 1-2 count before New York’s stylish outfielder sent a shot over the wall in center. Soto danced down the first-base line and paused to celebrate with his teammates before circling the bases.
“I was just saying to myself, `You’re all over that guy. You’re all over that guy. He ain’t got anything,’” said Soto, who moved alongside his manager, Aaron Boone, as the only New York players to homer in an extra-inning, series-clinching win.
Luke Weaver got the final three outs with Lane Thomas flying out for the last one, which was caught by Soto.
“We get to play for a world championship,” Boone said. “That’s pretty sweet.”
The 25-year-old Soto is eligible for free agency this winter, and Yankees fans chanted “Re-sign Soto!” during the postgame festivities. He’s expected to get a contract upwards of $600 million, and his heroics in Game 5 may have raised his price.
Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer and was named ALCS MVP as the Yankees took care of the Guardians in five games. It wasn’t easy.
New York won the first two at Yankee Stadium without much fanfare or any major drama. However, it was a different story in Cleveland as all three games at Progressive Field were nail-biters.
The Guardians rallied to win Game 3 on two, two-run homers in their last two at-bats, and the Yankees held on to win Game 4 after blowing a four-run lead.
“This was a rollercoaster and we were able to just keep punching back,” Stanton said. “We know there’s much more work to do and it’s only uphill from here and we got to get it done.”
Cleveland just didn’t have enough and a surprising season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt ended just short of a World Series. The franchise remains without a title since 1948, baseball’s current longest drought.
“There’s only one team that gets to win the last game of the year, and unfortunately it’s not going to be us,” Vogt said. “But we accomplished a lot as a group. We got better. We worked extremely hard. I couldn’t be more proud of this group. We just didn’t get quite as far as we wanted to.”
The Yankees are back in the World Series, back where their fans expect them to be every year.
The club’s 82-80, fourth-place finish in the AL East last season led to some “soul searching as an organization” during the winter, according to Boone, who has been widely criticized but is one of just three managers to take New York to playoffs in six of his first seven seasons.
While the team’s core stayed mostly intact, getting Soto in a blockbuster trade on Dec. 7 — New York sent five players to San Diego for the three-time All-Star — accelerated the team returning to title contender.
“That was a good day,” Boone said with a laugh before the game.
Stanton’s 446-foot rocket into the left-field bleachers tied it at 2 in the sixth and chased Tanner Bibee, who had struck out New York’s dangerous DH in his first two at-bats and held the Yankees scoreless for the first five innings.
It was Stanton’s fourth homer in this series — his third in three days — and his 16th in the postseason, moving him into fourth place on the club’s career list behind Bernie Williams (22), Derek Jeter (20) and Mickey Mantle (18).
Before the game, Boone was asked what makes Stanton so good.
“He can hit it harder than anyone, first of all,” Boone said. “So there’s the physical nature of what he does that’s different than just about everyone in the world.”
But Boone went on to compliment Stanton’s discipline at the plate, “his approach, his process, how he studies guys.”
“There’s something that he does when he gets familiarity with people on top of being very physically gifted,” Boone said.
The Guardians took a 2-0 lead in the fifth off Carlos Rodón on Steven Kwan’s RBI single with two outs. But Cleveland missed a big chance for more, leaving the bases loaded when Lane Thomas grounded out on the first pitch to him from Mark Leiter Jr.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: LHP Nestor Cortes (elbow strain) had another successful live batting practice session. The reliever remains on track to join the Yankees on their World Series roster. Boone said Cortes would throw again early next week. Cortes went 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 30 starts.
