Newswise — He says he’s always been the “strong one,” which is why NBA World Champion, Miami Heat’s Dwayne Wade says he was shocked to find out he had kidney cancer. Wade recently revealed his diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer, during an interview. He shared that the cancer was discovered during a routine physical after his retirement from professional basketball, emphasizing the importance of regular health checkups. Wade said he noticed unusual symptoms he called attention to with his doctor. “I talked about just having a slow stream, like sometimes when I would go to the bathroom, my urine would come out a little slow,” Wade said. “I had some cramps, some pain, a little bit at times in my stomach that I did not understand,” he added. Wade said he ignored these symptoms for a while before asking his doctor.
Wade’s vigilance meant the cancer was caught early and successfully treated with surgery, to remove 40% of his kidney to treat his stage 1 cancer. While he didn’t delve into further specifics about his treatment or prognosis, his openness about the experience has brought much-needed attention to kidney cancer awareness, during Kidney Health Awareness Month.
Kidney cancer is a relatively common cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 80,000 new cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year, with renal cell carcinoma accounting for the vast majority of these cases. It’s more prevalent in men than women and typically diagnosed in older adults, though it can occur at any age.
Risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, family history of the disease, and long-term dialysis treatment. While the exact cause of Wade’s cancer isn’t publicly known, his disclosure serves as a reminder for everyone to be aware of the risk factors and to discuss any concerns with their healthcare providers.
Wade’s decision to share his story has the potential to significantly impact public awareness and encourage proactive health management. His platform as a beloved athlete allows him to reach a broad audience, potentially prompting individuals to schedule checkups, discuss family history with their doctors, and adopt healthier lifestyles. Early detection is crucial in improving kidney cancer outcomes, and Wade’s experience underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive healthcare.
Members of the Department of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center recently launched the Kidney Cancer Resource Center, an online educational tool for people diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma. The website provides information to help them better understand the disease and explores the various treatment options, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies.
The website is a collaborative effort by Hackensack Meridian Health’s leading experts in the field of renal cell carcinoma, including surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, cancer researchers, palliative care providers, and more. Its purpose is to guide patients and their friends, family members, and caregivers through the cancer care journey. Viewers can learn about:
- What kidney cancer is and the different types of the disease
- Tests used to diagnose the disease
- Stages of kidney cancer
- Kidney cancer treatments
- The clinical trials process
- Care team members and their respective roles in patient care
- What to expect when living with kidney cancer
