Dwyane Wade is known for dominating on the basketball court, but now, the retired NBA champion is facing an entirely different kind of opponent – kidney cancer.
At just 41 years old, Wade was diagnosed with Stage 1 kidney cancer, a shocking revelation that has inspired him to raise awareness about the importance of listening to your body and acting on early warning signs.
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In a candid interview with Today, Wade admitted that he had initially dismissed the subtle symptoms that eventually led to his diagnosis. “I didn’t think nothing of it,” Wade confessed, explaining that he felt “pretty healthy” when he went for a check-up.
Prompted by his father’s recent prostate cancer battle, Wade wanted peace of mind – but what he found out changed his life.
The Silent Signs Wade Wishes He Hadn’t Ignored
During his doctor’s visit, Wade mentioned trouble with urination, something he hadn’t considered serious at first. “I talked about just having a slow stream,” he said. “Sometimes when I would go to the bathroom, my urine would come out little slow.”
This seemingly minor issue was Wade‘s first clue – a potential sign of kidney cancer, which affects the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the body.
Changes in urination, persistent side pain, and unexplained stomach cramps are symptoms often linked to kidney issues. Wade recalled, “I had some cramps, some pain, a little bit at times in my stomach that I did not understand.”
Following an MRI, doctors discovered a mass on Wade’s kidney. Despite being caught off guard – having gone in thinking about his stomach and prostate – Wade acted swiftly when doctors warned him that the mass could spread to his lungs and brain if untreated.
In December 2023, Wade underwent surgery, supported by his wife, Gabrielle Union, and his father. The post-op diagnosis confirmed Stage 1 kidney cancer, but thankfully, it had been caught in time.
“Thank God that we caught it early,” Wade said. “This wasn’t something that was able to grow. It was about 3 centimeters on my kidney.”
Now in recovery, Wade has adopted a new perspective on life, emphasizing the importance of being present and taking health seriously. “When people hear cancer, obviously, immediately they think it’s over. But it’s really helped me,” he shared.
Wade is also committed to encouraging other men to prioritize their health and not ignore symptoms.
“I think being able to speak about it in an environment with other men that I know, a lot of us are not going to check ourselves out if we don’t feel nothing. If nothing is happening, we’re like, ‘We’re good.’ And I want us to get over that. I want us to grow from that.”
Kidney Cancer: A Growing but Beatable Threat
Kidney cancer is one of the top 10 most common cancers in the U.S., with men about twice as likely to be diagnosed as women.
According to the American Cancer Society, around 81,610 new cases are expected in 2025 – 52,380 men and 29,230 women – and sadly, 14,390 deaths are anticipated.
Still, early detection is critical. The five-year survival rate for Stage 1 kidney cancer is 93%, but that drops sharply to just 18% for advanced stages.
Wade hopes his story serves as a wake-up call to others: Don’t wait until it’s too late. “I want us to grow from that,” he urged.
