Additional Coverage:
- Doctors share bladder cancer warning signs after Deion Sanders reveals diagnosis and recovery (foxnews.com)
Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes head football coach and Hall of Famer, recently announced his victory over bladder cancer. At a press conference at Folsom Field, Sanders, joined by his medical team from UC Health and CU Anschutz, detailed his diagnosis and treatment.
Sanders, 57, was diagnosed with a high-risk form of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. His oncologist, Dr.
Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at CU Anschutz, stated that although the tumor was aggressive and had invaded the bladder wall, surgery successfully removed it. “I am pleased to report that the results from the surgery are that he is cured from the cancer,” Kukreja confirmed.
Dr. Kukreja explained that this type of cancer has a high recurrence rate.
Standard treatment within the bladder would have involved a three-year course with a 50% chance of recurrence, along with the risk of the cancer spreading to the muscle. If the cancer had metastasized, the five-year survival rate drops to approximately 10%.
Sanders and his medical team opted for a full robot-assisted laparoscopic bladder removal and reconstruction. While this procedure signifies a “new way of life” for Sanders, it offered the best chance for a complete cure.
Remarkably, the cancer was discovered incidentally during a CT scan for Sanders’ heart health, according to CU athletic trainer Lauren Askevold. Sanders, who lost 25 pounds during his treatment, expressed gratitude for the early detection and urged everyone to be vigilant about their health.
“Everybody get checked out,” he emphasized. “If it wasn’t for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn’t have stumbled upon this.”
He also stressed the importance of seeking appropriate care.
Sanders candidly discussed the challenges of adjusting to life after surgery, including using a catheter and the loss of bladder control. He encouraged others facing similar struggles to address them openly and without shame.
Looking forward, Sanders feels strong and ready to return to coaching. Dr. Kukreja confirmed his prognosis is “very good” and he will continue routine surveillance scans.
While Sanders himself experienced no symptoms, Dr. Kukreja highlighted the importance of recognizing potential warning signs for bladder cancer, the fourth most common cancer in men.
The primary indicator is blood in the urine, particularly without infection. She recommended regular checkups with a primary care physician, a healthy diet, and abstaining from smoking.
Dr. Chad Ryan Ritch, a urologic oncologist at the University of Miami Health System, who was not involved in Sanders’ care, echoed these sentiments.
He noted that less common signs can include frequent, urgent urination and mild discomfort. In advanced cases, flank pain can indicate ureter blockage.
He stressed that smoking is the leading cause of urothelial bladder cancer and that quitting is the best prevention. Chronic urinary tract infections and long-term catheter use are also risk factors.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms, especially in conjunction with risk factors and blood in the urine, should seek immediate medical attention.