Dwyane Wade Opened up About Cancerous Tumor Discovery Sparked by Routine Check-up

Retired NBA star Dwyane Wade has disclosed that a routine health screening led to the discovery and removal of a cancerous tumor on his kidney in 2023, underscoring the importance of proactive medical care.

Speaking at the New York Times Well Festival, Wade shared that he initially sought medical attention due to minor symptoms and family health history. “I didn’t go in for my kidney,” he said. “I was going in because I had little pains in my stomach... my urine stream was a little low... my dad had prostate cancer.”

Man visiting a doctor | Source: Pexels

Wade’s decision to pursue a full-body evaluation came after learning that his grandfather also died of prostate cancer. He emphasized that limited family health discussions prompted him to take initiative. “In my family, in my community, we don’t share a lot of things about our health history,” he said. “Because of that, I decided at 40 years old... let me go look at my body.”

During the check-up, Wade requested comprehensive testing, including MRIs. He later received a call from his doctor’s office with the diagnosis of a tumor on his right kidney. The tumor required surgical removal to determine its nature. In December 2023, Wade underwent surgery to remove 40% of his kidney.

Man visiting a doctor | Source: Pexels

“Thank God that I did do the surgery,” Wade said. “Because the tumor was cancerous.” Now two years post-operation, Wade is encouraging others to take charge of their health. “If you have a primary care doctor, put them to work,” he said. “Ask the right questions.”