Speculation has surrounded the health of Deion Sanders, the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes and a celebrated Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, particularly due to his recent absence from team practice. On Monday, Sanders revealed that he underwent surgery in June to remove his bladder following a cancer diagnosis. This announcement serves as a stark reminder that cancer does not discriminate based on wealth, status, or fame. The seriousness of Sanders' condition raises critical discussions regarding the health disparities faced by Black individuals, who are often at a higher risk for severe health issues due to systemic deficiencies in healthcare.
Doctors believe that Sanders’ diagnosis could encourage others to take proactive steps towards their health. Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner, an emergency room physician based in Maryland, emphasized that while Black people are statistically less likely to develop bladder cancer, they face a significantly higher mortality rate from the disease. He stated, “It does impact Black people more and aggressively.” This inequity underlines the importance of awareness and early detection in minority communities.
In a video shared by his son, filmed in May but released recently, Sanders, 57, reflected on the emotional strain of writing a will prior to his surgery, saying, “That’s not easy at all.” His high-profile status and the revelation of a cancerous tumor on his bladder are likely to motivate more individuals to seek necessary screenings, echoing the impact of the late actor Chadwick Boseman’s death from colon cancer, which raised significant awareness among Black men regarding the importance of regular health check-ups.
During the news conference, Dr. Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Health, explained that Sanders opted for bladder surgery rather than chemotherapy to enhance his capability to continue coaching. “It’s a laparoscopic surgery,” Kukreja elaborated. “We attach a robot to the patient, maneuver it, and once the bladder is removed, we check the lymph nodes to confirm the cancer hasn't spread.” She also stated that the surgery involves creating a new bladder using the patient’s intestine, allowing for a recovery that does not necessitate immunosuppression. Life post-surgery requires adaptation, as Kukreja noted, “it is a new way of life, and it is a learning curve, for sure.” Sanders humorously acknowledged that a “port-a-potty on the sideline” might be necessary as he prepares to coach the Buffaloes in the upcoming season.
According to Dr. Philippe Spiess, a genitourinary oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, bladder surgery typically lasts between five to seven hours and may involve removing not only the bladder but also the prostate and surrounding lymph nodes due to the potential spread of cancer.
During the same news conference, Sanders took the opportunity to encourage viewers to prioritize their health by getting regular check-ups, especially if they experience even mild symptoms. This advice is echoed by Dr. Varner, who pointed out that one of the key screenings for bladder cancer is a simple urinalysis, which can detect blood in the urine—a significant symptom. He stressed, “If you don’t go to your primary care physician for these basic screenings, you miss it, and by the time you have obvious symptoms, you’re often further along in your cancer journey.”
Additionally, Varner highlighted that up to 70% of cancers are linked to dietary habits, particularly the consumption of fast food and ultraprocessed products. He noted, “In Black communities, there are one and a half times more fast-food restaurants,” which often serve hyperprocessed foods that increase cancer risk. This reality places Black individuals at a disadvantage when it comes to health outcomes.
Varner advocates for making basic health screenings more accessible, suggesting that free screening programs could significantly benefit the Black community. He frequently encounters patients who have delayed seeking medical attention until their symptoms have escalated, and he believes that earlier intervention could make treatment less invasive. “Prostate-specific screenings for cancer should be more widely available,” he added, underscoring the importance of taking advantage of existing programs that assist with testing costs. “We need to be proactive and not wait until it’s too late.”
