Deion Sanders revealed he underwent surgery for bladder cancer during a press conference on July 28th. His bladder was removed, and a new bladder was created for him, and he is now considered cancer-free.
Sanders, who is also known as Coach Prime, has faced other health issues. He had blood clots that led to the amputation of two of his toes in 2021. He learned of his bladder cancer during follow-up testing for those issues, proving the importance of routine screenings.
A CT scan of his vascular system alerted his caregivers to signs.
“Men, everybody. Get checked out. Because if it weren’t for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn’t have stumbled upon this,” he advised.
How Bladder Cancer Can Change Your Life?
The former professional football player turned inspirational football coach was transparent about his challenges following the surgery.
“I’m still dealing with going to the bathroom. It’s a whole life change,” he told the media. “I’m gonna be transparent. I can’t pee like I used to pee. It’s totally different.”
He explained that he might require special accommodations in the workplace due to the effects of the surgery. “I cannot control my bladder, so I get up to go to the bathroom already four or five times a night,” said Sanders. “I’m making a joke out of it, but it’s real. So if you see a port-a-potty on the sideline, it’s real. I’m just telling you right now, you’re gonna see it.”
Sanders chose to share his diagnosis and details about his treatment following his surgery despite speculation surrounding his absence from team practices. He shared when he was ready to.
Privacy is often important to those facing cancer.
He addressed the stigma associated with bladder cancer and instructed those watching the press conference to be proactive in their approach to their health. “Let’s stop being ashamed of it, and let’s deal with it, and let’s deal with it head-on,” he said.
Sanders shared a video of himself heading to the surgery with his friend Karruche Tran at his side. Social support is deeply important to those dealing with cancer.
How Common Is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer is one of several cancers of the urinary system. It is fairly common. The World Health Organization says it is the ninth most common cancer in the world.
Men are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer than women. Of the women who get diagnosed, Black and Hispanic women are at a higher risk of being diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Bladder cancer heavily affects those in the senior population. “A total of 90% of bladder cancer diagnoses are made in those 55 years of age and older,” according to the Journal of Medical Sciences.
Sanders is 57.
What Are The Risks of Bladder Cancer?
Smoking is a significant risk factor for bladder cancer—parasite infections and extended exposure to chemicals like arsenic and chlorine present risk factors as well.
There are genetic factors associated with bladder cancer, too. It is hereditary.
What Are The Mortality Rates For Bladder Cancer?
“Bladder cancer is the? 10th leading cause of cancer death in the United States,” according to the American Cancer Society.
According to a 2023 article from BMC Urology, “Compared with white patients, African Americans tend to present with more advanced disease at diagnosis, are less likely to receive definitive treatment, and have poorer survival outcomes.” As with several other forms of cancer, early screening helps with outcomes.
The Canadian Urological Association Journal reports that “Screening for bladder cancer results in close to 80% downstaging.”
What Are The Signs Of Bladder Cancer?
Blood in the urine is one of the most apparent signs of bladder cancer. It can be faint. It can also briefly disappear and reappear.
Frequent urination and painful urination are signs as well. Back pain is associated with bladder cancer, too. If you experience any one of these symptoms, you should seek a screening.
What Kind of Treatments Are Available for Bladder Cancer?
The standard of care for bladder cancer treatment is changing. Some drugs are showing promise in clinical trials.
The type of bladder cancer determines which kind of treatment is best for each patient.
Sanders opted for bladder removal after considering the nature of his tumor. He felt that was the best path to stay there for his family and his players. The less invasive options did not depict the future he wanted.
“You guys gave me options that scared me to death,” Sanders told Dr. Kukrej.
Dr. Janet Kukrej was at Sanders’ side as he spoke. She described the tumor as “very aggressive” and “very high grade.”
“It was very high grade invading through the bladder wall, not into the muscle layer, something we call very high risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer,” she explained. “We performed a full robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder removal and creation of a new bladder.”
Resources:
Digit Health
World Health Organization: Bladder Cancer
National Cancer Institute
Journal of Medical Sciences.
American Cancer Society.
BMC Urology
Canadian Urological Association Journal
Mayo Clinic: Clinical Trials
