Deion Sanders, a Hall of Fame athlete and current head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder, recently shared his battle with bladder cancer during a press conference. Sanders, 57, was diagnosed with a very high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. His oncologist, Dr. Janet Kukreja, successfully removed the tumor, making Sanders cancer-free.
Sanders underwent a robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder removal, creating a new bladder using his own intestines. Despite the challenges, Sanders remains positive and is grateful for the care he received. He emphasized the importance of being proactive about health concerns and getting regular check-ups.
Dr. Kukreja highlighted the warning signs of bladder cancer, such as blood in the urine, which should never be ignored. She recommended seeing a primary care doctor regularly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding smoking to reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Sanders urged others to prioritize their health and seek medical attention if they notice any concerning symptoms. He is now cancer-free and looking forward to returning to coaching. Dr. Kukreja expressed optimism about Sanders’ prognosis and plans to continue routine surveillance scans to monitor his health. Chad Ryan Ritch, M.D., a urologic oncologist at the University of Miami Health System, provided insights on the warning signs of bladder cancer. According to Ritch, the main indicator is the presence of blood in the urine, whether visible or microscopic, without pain and in the absence of infection or trauma. Less common signs may include strong urges to urinate and frequent urination accompanied by mild discomfort that does not respond to typical treatments. These symptoms are referred to as irritative voiding symptoms. In advanced cases, patients may experience urinary obstruction due to blockage of the ureter, which connects the kidney to the bladder.
Ritch emphasized the importance of recognizing red flags for bladder cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in men. He highlighted that pain in the flank, especially when accompanied by blood in the urine and without other identifiable causes like infection or trauma, should not be ignored. Smoking is identified as the leading cause of urothelial bladder cancer in the U.S., making quitting smoking and avoiding tobacco the best form of prevention.
Furthermore, chronic urinary tract infections and prolonged bladder inflammation from procedures such as catheter use may also contribute to squamous cell bladder cancer. Ritch advised individuals with risk factors and symptoms of blood in the urine to seek medical attention promptly. Melissa Rudy, a senior health editor and member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital, can be contacted for story tips at melissa.rudy@fox.com.
