NBA Star Dwyane Wade Opens Up About Cancer Battle and Surgery
NBA legend Dwyane Wade has revealed his cancer diagnosis and recent surgery, opening up about his journey and the challenges he faces.
Chicago native and former NBA player Dwyane Wade shared on his podcast, “The WY Network,” that he was diagnosed with cancer more than a year ago and had to undergo surgery to remove part of his kidney. Wade, who is 43, explained that after retiring from basketball, he stopped getting regular checkups, something he had done during his playing days.
Wade said his decision to go for a checkup was influenced by his father’s battle with prostate cancer. He asked the doctor to check everything, especially because he had been experiencing slow and weak urination. After undergoing a full-body scan, doctors found something on his right kidney, which led to further investigation.
Wade eventually had surgery on December 18, 2023, to remove the tumor from his kidney. The surgery resulted in the removal of 40% of his right kidney, and he later learned that the tumor was cancerous. He described the experience as difficult and shared that it was the first time his family, including his father and children, saw him feeling weak.
Despite this challenge, Wade has been focusing on living life differently and to the fullest. He stressed the importance of men paying attention to their health and making time for checkups, encouraging others to take care of themselves just as he did.
Born on Chicago’s South Side, Wade grew up in the Washington Park neighborhood before moving to Robbins, a suburb of the city. He gained recognition at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, where he helped his basketball team win two conference titles. He then attended Marquette University in Milwaukee and led the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Final Four in 2003.
Wade was drafted by the Miami Heat as the fifth overall pick in 2003 and played with the team for 13 seasons, winning NBA championships with them. He briefly played for the Chicago Bulls in 2016 before moving to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He returned to the Heat in 2018 and finished his career with the team.
In 2023, Wade became part of the ownership group for the Chicago Sky, a women’s basketball team.
