Deion Sanders battles bladder cancer and shares urgent health warnings
- Deion Sanders was diagnosed with high-risk bladder cancer after a CT scan for heart health.
- He underwent robot-assisted bladder removal surgery and now faces new challenges in his daily life.
- Sanders urges everyone to get tested to catch any potential issues early.
In recent months, Deion Sanders, the current head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder, revealed his diagnosis of high-risk bladder cancer during a press conference held on July 26, 2025, at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. The diagnosis came after a CT scan, performed to monitor his heart health, inadvertently discovered a bladder tumor. Sanders underwent robot-assisted surgery for bladder removal. His oncologist informed him that his type of cancer has a high recurrence and progression rate, with a significant chance that it has spread to muscle tissue. During the press conference, Sanders shared details about his journey and the adjustments he now faces following surgery. He mentioned the difficulties of using a catheter and living without control over his bladder, describing it as a challenging life change. He emphasized the importance of early detection, stating that had he not been tested for another health issue, the tumor might have gone unnoticed, potentially leading to more severe consequences. Medical professionals have reiterated the urgency of being aware of bladder cancer symptoms. Early warning signs typically include blood in the urine, which Sanders had noted as an absence of any other symptoms. Dr. Chad Ryan Ritch, a urologic oncologist, urged individuals not to ignore signs, especially when blood in urine occurs without identifiable causes. The shared experiences and warnings from Sanders and the medical community aim to encourage regular check-ups and awareness among the public about bladder cancer. Despite the gravity of his diagnosis, oncologists have a positive outlook on Sanders’s prognosis post-surgery, which involved the removal of both his bladder and nearby lymph nodes, as well as the reconstruction of a new bladder using his intestines. Sanders's story serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of regular health screenings and awareness surrounding symptoms of bladder cancer, particularly for individuals with similar risk factors.