A new Netflix documentary, American Manhunt: OJ Simpson, premiered this week, less than a year after the former football star passed away from cancer. The four-part series revisits the infamous “trial of the century” following the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
Simpson, a former NFL star, was accused of the double murder but was ultimately found not guilty after an eight-month trial that captivated the world. In the final year of his life, he faced several health issues before succumbing to prostate cancer at the age of 76 on April 10, 2024.
Prostate cancer can often develop without noticeable symptoms with experts stressing that going to your doctors rather than dismissing it it key. Here’s what you need to know about the warning signs.
What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer?
In February – just two months before his passing – it was reported by local10 that OJ Simpson had been diagnosed with cancer, with some outlets suggesting it was in its late stages. However, the exact timing of his diagnosis and how long he had been battling the disease remain unclear.
Healthcare professionals often caution that prostate cancer can be difficult to detect early, as it may not cause symptoms initially or could be mistaken for typical signs of aging. This makes it crucial to recognize potential warning signs and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Symptoms, according to Prostate Cancer UK, include:
- difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
- a weak flow when you urinate
- a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
- dribbling urine after you finish urinating
- needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
- a sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet
The charity explains: “Men with early prostate cancer will often have no symptoms because of the way the cancer grows. You’ll usually only get early symptoms if the cancer grows near the tube you urinate through (the urethra) and presses against it, changing the way you urinate (wee).
“But because prostate cancer usually starts to grow in a different part (usually the outer part) of the prostate, early prostate cancer doesn’t often press on the urethra and cause symptoms.” However if prostate cancer breaks out of the prostate or spreads to other parts of the body, symptoms may include:
- back pain, hip pain or pelvis pain
- problems getting or keeping an erection
- blood in the urine or semen
- unexplained weight loss
Am I at risk of prostate cancer?
You may be at risk if you:
- Are over 50 – your risk increases as you get older
- Are aged between 70 and 74 years
- Are Black or have a family history of prostate cancer, you are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer from the age of 45
Can I prevent prostate cancer?
Experts note that a healthy lifestyle is key but there is no known way to prevent this cancer. The UK charity notes that “Being overweight may increase your risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer that’s aggressive (more likely to spread) or advanced (cancer that has spread outside the prostate). Eating healthily and keeping active can help you stay a healthy weight.”
Prostate cancer is England’s most common cancer
Earlier this week, we reported that prostate cancer is now the most common type in England, as more men are getting screened. Analysis from Prostate Cancer UK reveals that diagnoses of the disease surpassed breast cancer in both 2022 and 2023. According to the Mirror Online. the prostate charity attributes a 25% rise in prostate cancer cases between 2019 and 2023 to increased awareness, leading to more early diagnoses.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s Clinical Director for Cancer, said: “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and our effective awareness campaigns, we are diagnosing more men with prostate cancer at an earlier stage than ever before, so they have the best possible chance of receiving effective treatment.
“We know that coming forward for prostate checks can be daunting, but it could save your life, so we would encourage men to consult the prostate cancer symptoms advice available on NHS, and to see their GP as soon as possible if they are concerned.”