Miami Heat legend and Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade has revealed that he was diagnosed with kidney cancer and underwent surgery in December 2023 to remove a cancerous tumor.
The basketball icon shared his health journey during the latest episode of The Why with Dwyane Wade, where he opened up about how he discovered the cancer and the life-altering decision he had to make.
Wade explained that he initially sought medical attention due to symptoms such as cramps and weak urination. Concerned about his overall health, he requested a full-body scan, which unexpectedly revealed a tumor on his right kidney.
BREAKING: Dwyane Wade reveals he had 40% of his kidney removed in December 2023 after doctors found a cancerous tumor in it.
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) January 30, 2025
Wade, who was 41 at the time, says he hadn’t had a physical exam in some time after retiring from the NBA, but was experiencing stomach pain & problems… pic.twitter.com/gdLiHaOoKr
“I went to the doctor to look for something else,” Wade explained. “But because I did a full-body scan, they were able to see my entire body…And they were able to see something that was on my kidney, on my right kidney.”
Doctors informed Wade that the tumor could not be biopsied unless it was surgically removed. Before making a decision, he consulted multiple doctors before deciding to undergo surgery.
On December 18, 2023, Wade had 40% of his right kidney removed to eliminate the tumor before it could spread. The procedure confirmed his worst fears—the tumor was indeed cancerous.
“To find out, at 41 years old, a pretty healthy guy, that I did have cancer—thank God that I did the surgery,” Wade said. “They took 40% of my kidney to make sure they could get all of the cancer off of it.”
He added that his father was by his side walking him into the hospital, while his wife, Gabrielle Union, was there when he woke up.
Black men, please let Wade’s experience serve as a wake-up call, especially regarding your health, the importance of routine checkups, and having a primary care physician. He admitted that post-retirement, he had neglected regular medical examinations—a habit he is now urging others to avoid.
“Post-retirement, you don’t get those same checkups. You don’t have to get those same physicals. So I took a few years off of physicals,” he said. “When my dad went through his surgeries and his process, I went in to get myself checked.”
Wade is also an example of how important it is to know your family’s history of health risks.
Now recovering from surgery and cancer-free, Wade is using his platform to advocate for early detection and proactive health measures, particularly among men in the Black community.
“If I wouldn’t have done that full-body scan, who knows when we would have caught this?” he reflected.
We are grateful for Wade’s transparency about his battle with kidney cancer and we hope it inspires more men to prioritize their health.
If you or a loved one is battling cancer and need assistance, please reach out to Every Color Matters for support. The organization provides educational resources, financial assistance, and access to crucial cancer prevention and early detection materials. You’re not alone—they’re here to help!
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