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Former Football Star OJ Simpson Dies Of Prostate Cancer At 76: 5 Important Things To Know About The Disease
OJ Simpson, an ex-NFL star who was acquitted of double murder in 1995, has died of prostate cancer at 76.
In May 2023, the former American footballer took to X (previously known as Twitter) to reveal his diagnosis of cancer and that he was undergoing chemotherapy for the same. However, it was only in February this year that the nature of his cancer was revealed, which was prostate cancer.
On Thursday, Simpson's family announced his death on X, stating: "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."
Prostate cancer, which occurs due to the abnormal growth of cells in the prostate, is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Worldwide, there were about 10.41 lakh new cases of prostate cancer in 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Read on to learn all about the disease.
Also Read: Signs Your Prostate Is Healthy: What Men Need To Know
Common And Uncommon Prostate Cancer SymptomsIn an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Sandeep Prasad, Consultant-Urology, Fortis Anandapur, Kolkata, suggests that prostate cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms during the early stages. However, when they do, here are some of the most common symptoms to watch out for:
According to StatPearls Publishing, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed male malignancy and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men.
The ACS suggests that prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40, whereas those aged 50 and above could be at a greater risk of developing the disease. In fact, about six in ten prostate cancers are found in men older than 65, the health body notes.
Additionally, belonging to a certain race or ethnicity may increase a person's risk of developing the condition. Research suggests prostate cancer is more prevalent in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry.
Moreover, a family history of prostate cancer, an unhealthy diet, obesity, smoking, and previous problems associated with the prostate can also increase a person's risk of prostate cancer.
Also Read: PSA Test For Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Things Men Need To Know About It
What Is Advanced Prostate Cancer?Advanced, or metastatic, prostate cancer refers to cancer that has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body.
According to Cancer Research UK, it most commonly spreads to lymph nodes in other parts of the body or to the bones. In certain cases, it may also spread to other organs, such as the lungs.
On Diagnosing Prostate CancerSome of the most common screening methods to detect prostate cancer include:
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)This procedure involves a doctor inserting a lubricated finger into the rectum to examine the prostate gland for abnormalities.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testA PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer; however, they can also result from other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate or inflammation.
BiopsyIn the event that an abnormality is detected during a DRE or PSA test, a biopsy may be performed to check for the presence of cancer. A biopsy is a medical procedure in which a medical expert removes a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from the body to test for cancer.
Other diagnosis tests include Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or bone scan, which can help determine the extent of cancer.
Not All Prostate Issues Are A Sign Of CancerIt is important to note that not all problems associated with the prostate are a sign of prostate cancer. In fact, even an elevated PSA level does not necessarily mean cancer.
Here are some other common prostate conditions that can be confused with cancer:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Benign suggests that the condition is non-cancerous and non-life-threatening. BPH usually involves enlargement of the prostate gland, which can cause problems with urination. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it is not linked to cancer and does not increase your risk of getting prostate cancer.
Prostatitis: Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland that can be caused by a bacterial infection. The NCI suggests that the condition affects at least half of all men at some point in their lives, leading to symptoms such as pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, difficulty urinating, and sometimes fever.
Image credit: X
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O.J. Simpson, 76, Dies From Prostate Cancer — Signs, Symptoms And What Men Should Know About Their Health
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.
His cancer diagnosis, however, has been kept a secret. In February, a local Las Vegas outlet reported he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy in the area, citing only sources.
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.
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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."
While it's an important organ for procreation, it's not one that's necessary for life, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?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 issuesIf 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.
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How Often Should YOU Be Screened For Prostate Cancer? And Who's At Risk? Doctors' Advice As OJ Simpson Dies 2 Months After Announcing Diagnosis
World-leading experts have suggested updated guidelines for prostate cancer screening, just as disgraced football player OJ Simpson died after a battle with the disease.
Scientists from the United States and Europe proposed reducing the frequency of screening for some men from two to five years.
Current guidelines are not as well-defined as those for other cancers, such as breast or colon, and most state a patient should consult with their doctor.
The American Urological Association suggests screenings be offered every two to four years.
These include an internal exam of the prostate and a blood test to measure levels of the protein prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Elevated levels can indicate a problem with the organ.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease, striking 300,000 American men every year. It is most prevalent in people over 50 years old
But who should get which and how often is not clear-cut and can vary widely among ages, races and men with family history.
Additionally, the PSA test can yield false-positives, leading people to undergo additional and unnecessary testing and treatments.
At the European Association of Urology Congress in Paris last week, urologists said some men may now only need a blood test screening every five years.
The urologists at the conference proposed new guidelines based on PSA levels detected in preliminary testing among men 45 to 50 years old.
Men were placed in different risk categories based on PSA levels from an initial blood test: Under 1.5 ng/ml was low; 1.5-3ng/ml was intermediate; and 3 ng/ml or more was high risk.
OJ Simpson announced in February he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The disgraced athlete died from the disease in April
Low-risk men should have a PSA test every five years going forward. Medium-risk should get a screening every two years and people deemed high-risk will be prescribed additional testing and treatment, such as an MRI and prostate biopsy.
The findings were based on the PROBASE trial of 12,500 men between the ages of 45 and 50.
Further results showed that nearly none of the men in the low-risk group went on to develop prostate cancer at the five-year follow up, which researchers said indicated one test every five years is sufficient.
They also said that by increasing the low-risk threshold from 1.0 ng/ml to 1.5 ng/ml, it would significantly cut down the number of people needing to seek additional screening.
Dr Peter Albers, co-author of the PROBASE study, told Healthline the new recommendations could 'tremendously improve the harms of screening by increasing the negative predictive value of PSA.'
A separate study published in the journal JAMA this month found PSA testing only reduced prostate cancer mortality by 0.09 percent among a study population of 400,000 men.
The lead author of the study Dr Richard Martin told Healthline: 'Only a few less men who were invited for a PSA test died because of prostate cancer. There wasn't much difference between the two groups.
'There is an urgent need to find ways of detecting cancers that need treating early and to avoid the diagnosis of low risk cancers.'
Results from another JAMA study also published this month, suggest using biomarker panels in addition to PSA testing could provide greater benefits in terms of screening while reducing unnecessary treatment.
In an accompanying editorial, Dr Jeffrey Tosoian, professor of urology at Vanderbilt University, said the findings suggest using additional tools ensure men with higher risk for prostate cancer get additional treatment, while those with lower risk are not subjected to unnecessary biopsies.
Prostate cancer is the second-most common form of cancer in men, just behind skin cancer. The disease forms from cancerous cells in the prostate, a walnut-sized organ only found in men.
Located between the base of the penis and the rectum, the prostate produces fluid that mixes with sperm to help it travel and survive.
Experts estimate the disease will strike 300,000 American men this year and kill more than 35,000, most of whom are over age 65.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) says rates are rising about three percent every year, which it attribute to a growing older population and inconsistent screening guidelines.
Additionally, healthcare providers warn the disease can be difficult to spot, as it often causes no symptoms at first. The signs typically mirror that of an enlarged prostate, which tends to affect older men, such as King Charles, who underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate earlier this year.
This could lead to it spreading quickly to the bones and organs such as the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and brain.
Prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms in its beginning stages, but symptoms can include frequent urge to urinate, blood in urine or semen, difficulty urinating, a weak urine stream and pain in the testicles.
Doctors are not entirely sure what causes prostate cancer, though they have identified some risk factors, such as older age, family history, obesity, smoking, sexually transmitted infections and being African American.
The five-year survival rate for the disease, which often responds well to treatment, is 99 percent if the cancer has not spread outside the organ.
If it has, the survival rate drops to 34 percent in later stages, when it can spread to the bones.
Treatment for the disease includes a prostatectomy, a minimally invasive surgery to remove all or part of the prostate gland.
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