Introduction to Dwyane Wade’s Health Journey
Dwyane Wade is opening up about the changes in his body that he noticed prior to being diagnosed with kidney cancer. The retired NBA pro revealed in an exclusive interview aired March 11 on TODAY that he made an appointment to see his doctor at age 40 to get a check-up for his own peace of mind after his dad had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Subtle Symptoms Leading to Diagnosis
During the appointment, Wade, who recalled feeling "pretty healthy" at the time, mentioned to his physician that he had stomach pain and changes to how he urinated. "I talked about just having a slow stream, like sometimes when I would go to the bathroom, my urine would come out little slow," he recalled. "I had some cramps, some pain, a little bit at times in my stomach that I did not understand," he added. "But I didn’t think nothing of it. And so once I finally went in, I was like, OK, I just want to know everything."
(L-R) Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade attend the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
The Diagnosis and Treatment
Wade’s physician had him undergo an MRI scan to investigate the area in his body where he was experiencing pain. After the MRI, the physician called with a concerning update. "She expressed to me that it was very early, but they thought they saw something on my kidneys," Wade recalled. "I didn’t go in for my kidneys. I went in to check what was going on my stomach and my prostate." Wade’s physician advised him to undergo additional scans and to meet with a specialist. After a second MRI again showed a suspicious mass on Wade’s kidney, the specialist began talking about a potential surgery.
Coming to Terms with the Diagnosis
Wade struggled to comprehend how he, as a former pro athlete, could have developed kidney cancer. The word cancer alone, he remembers, had him "panicking." "Immediately they try to say, ‘Well, we don’t know if it’s cancerous, but it’s something on there, and you’re a young man, and we just want to make sure that, you obviously are able to live this healthy lifestyle,’" said Wade. After his new doctor explained that the smartest approach would be to remove the suspicious lesion to prevent it from spreading, Wade agreed to the procedure.
The Surgery and Recovery
On the day of the surgery, in December 2023, Wade’s wife, actor Gabrielle Union, and his father accompanied him to the hospital. The former Miami Heat player shared a vow he made to himself that day. "I remember telling myself, if I do come out of this, you know how I’m going to approach life, how I’m going approach every day … I’m going to live for the 24 hours." After the surgery, Wade felt excruciating pain, he said. As a "prideful" man, he didn’t like that his wife and kids saw him so "weak," but he appreciated their help.
Reflection and New Outlook
When his physician later phoned Wade with the news that the lesion was Stage 1 cancer, Wade was even more grateful he’d opted to get the surgery. "Thank God that we caught it early," he said. "This wasn’t something that was able to grow. It was about 3 centimeters on my kidney." Though Wade’s cancer ordeal was frightening, he believes it’s helped him to give him clarity about his life and his future. "I needed to sit down and think about my life, think about where I was and where I wanted to go, what was important, what wasn’t important, and it set me down."
Conclusion
Now strong and healthy again, Wade is sharing his story to encourage others — especially men — to be proactive about their health and consulting a doctor if they notice changes in their bodies. "When people hear cancer, obviously immediately they think it’s over," he said. "But it’s really helped me," he explained. "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."
FAQs
- Q: What led to Dwyane Wade’s diagnosis of kidney cancer?
A: Wade’s diagnosis stemmed from a check-up he scheduled after his dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. During the appointment, he mentioned stomach pain and changes in urination, which led to further investigation. - Q: What symptoms did Dwyane Wade experience before his diagnosis?
A: Wade experienced stomach pain and changes in how he urinated, including a slow stream. - Q: How did Dwyane Wade feel about his diagnosis?
A: Wade was initially in panic upon hearing the word cancer but later felt grateful for catching it early and is now using his experience to encourage others to be proactive about their health. - Q: What message does Dwyane Wade want to convey to others, especially men?
A: Wade wants to encourage others, especially men, to not overlook their health and to consult a doctor if they notice any changes in their bodies, emphasizing the importance of early detection and proactive health care.
