Dwyane Wade Opens Up About Ignoring Early Signs Of Kidney CancerDwyane Wade (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
NBA legend Dwyane Wade has revealed the early warning signs of kidney cancer that he initially brushed off before his diagnosis in December 2023. The Miami Heat icon, now 43, admitted he ignored symptoms like a slow urinary stream and occasional stomach cramps, only to later discover a cancerous lesion on his kidney.

Wade, a three-time NBA champion, shared his experience in an interview with Today, explaining how a routine check-up prompted by his father’s prostate cancer diagnosis led to the shocking discovery. “I had some cramps, some pain at times in my stomach that I did not understand,” he said. “But I didn’t think anything of it.”

Dwyane Wade’s Life-Changing Discovery

Dwyane Wade defends his statueDwyane Wade (Image Credit: Getty Images)
During his medical evaluation, Wade underwent an MRI, which revealed an abnormality on his kidney. Initially uncertain whether it was cancerous, doctors advised immediate removal to prevent potential spread. “[My doctor said] in the next five or 10 years, if this is cancer, [it can] not only spread through your kidneys, but it [can] also spread through your lungs and eventually to your brain,” Wade recalled.

The surgery confirmed the lesion was cancerous, reinforcing the importance of early detection. “Thank God that we caught it early,” Wade said. “This wasn’t something that was able to grow. It was about 3 centimeters on my kidney.”

 

The experience forced Wade to reassess his life and priorities. “I spent a lot of time writing in my journal, thinking about what I want the next 40 years to look like,” he shared.

Wade’s openness about the experience highlights the importance of routine check-ups and seeking medical advice early, no matter how small the symptoms may seem.