Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade revealed Thursday that nearly half of one of his kidneys was removed in late 2023 after doctors found a tumor.
The Chicago native shared the story of the “shocking” diagnosis and the emotional toll it took on him on the latest episode of his “The Why” podcast.
Wade, who turned 43 earlier this month, said his father’s journey with prostate cancer inspired him to see a doctor after experiencing stomach issues, cramps and difficulty urinating. A tumor found in his right kidney was removed during a Dec. 18, 2023, procedure, he shared. It was later found to be cancerous.
While kidney cancer does not often cause symptoms at the onset, they can develop over time, the Mayo Clinic explains. Those signs often include blood in the urine, a loss of appetite, consistent pain in the back or side, fatigue and unexplained weight loss. It’s also unclear what can cause kidney cancer, though the Mayo Clinic says those with certain inherited conditions, or a family history of kidney disease are at a high risk.
“My own journey to have that surgery, I think it was the first time that my family, my dad, my kids, they saw me weak,” he said on the podcast. “That moment was probably the weakest point I’ve ever felt in my life.”
Wade noted that it was his family who gave him strength to persevere.
