Latest news with #Sanders'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders' bladder cancer diagnosis sounds the alarm for testing
Speculation swirled for weeks around the health of Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes head coach and famed Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, who had been notably absent from team practice. When he announced Monday that he had undergone surgery in June to remove his bladder after a cancer diagnosis, it once again became evident that cancer doesn't discriminate around wealth and status. But the serious nature of his condition highlights concerns about how Black people tend to be at a disproportionately higher health risk than other groups due to the deficiencies in care. Doctors hope Sanders' diagnosis can influence others to take preventative steps. Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner, an emergency room physician in Maryland, noted that Black people are less likely to get bladder cancer but are more likely to die from it. 'It does impact Black people more and aggressively,' he said. In a video of Sanders, 57, filmed in May but shared by his son on Sunday, the coach spoke about how emotionally and mentally draining it was to have to write a will before his surgery. 'That's not easy at all,' he said at the time. A high-profile figure like Sanders having a cancerous tumor on his bladder is likely to prompt more people to seek screening. Five years ago, the shocking death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at age 43 raised awareness among Black men of the importance of having a colonoscopy. Black people are at a disproportionately high risk for colon cancer diagnoses, according to the American Cancer Society, and the mortality rate has increased in recent years, particularly among Black men. Just four days before Sanders' press conference, Varner, also a Black man in his 50s, completed chemotherapy for prostate cancer. 'Cancer touches 100% of people,' Varner said. What is bladder cancer surgery like? During the press conference, Dr. Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Health, said Sanders chose to have bladder surgery over chemotherapy because it increased his chances to continue coaching. 'It's a laparoscopic surgery,' Kukreja, who performed the surgery, said, 'where we attach a robot to the patient, and then we do all the maneuvering of the robot, and then once the bladder comes out, we also take some lymph nodes to make sure it hasn't spread — and it didn't — and then we make a new bladder for people. 'We use their own intestine so they don't have to take immunosuppression. Life after the surgery, she said, 'is a new way of life, and it is a learning curve, for sure.' Sanders, who plans to coach the Buffaloes in the upcoming season, even joked that there may need to be a 'port-a-potty on the sideline.' Dr. Philippe Spiess, a genitourinary oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, said this procedure typically lasts between five and seven hours and 'involves removing the bladder, prostate and surrounding lymph nodes in the pelvis,' since the cancer could spread beyond the bladder.' Why Black Americans should take note Sanders used the Monday press conference to urge those watching to 'get checked out,' especially when there are even the mildest of symptoms that something is off. It was sound advice, Varner said. 'One of the screen exams for bladder cancer is, for instance, just a regular urinalysis,' he said. 'It will pick up blood in the urine, which is a symptom. If you don't go to your primary care physician and have these basic screenings done, you miss it. And by the time you have obvious symptoms, you're further along the line for prostate cancer or colon cancer or breast cancer for Black women.' Varner said up to 70% of cancers are tied to food consumption, especially fast food and ultraprocessed products. 'In Black communities, there are one and a half times more fast-food restaurants,' he said. 'The reason why that matters is that fast food restaurants serve hyperprocessed foods, which leads to or increases the risk of cancer. And so right off the bat, it puts Black folks at a disadvantage.' 'It would help all people, and the Black community specifically, if some of the basic screenings were free,' Varner said. As an ER doctor, Varner said he often sees patients who have long had symptoms of a serious illness, but by the time they get to the hospital, 'they want immediate care.' But earlier screening would make the issue of care a little less invasive and daunting. Varner said prostate-specific screenings for cancer and analysis should be more broadly accessible. 'There are programs that help with the cost of some tests,' he said. 'But we have to take advantage of them and not wait until it's too late.' This article was originally published on Solve the daily Crossword


NBC News
21 hours ago
- Health
- NBC News
Deion Sanders' bladder cancer diagnosis sounds the alarm for testing
Speculation swirled for weeks around the health of Deion Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes head coach and famed Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, who had been notably absent from team practice. When he announced Monday that he had undergone surgery in June to remove his bladder after a cancer diagnosis, it once again became evident that cancer doesn't discriminate around wealth and status. But the serious nature of his condition highlights concerns about how Black people tend to be at a disproportionately higher health risk than other groups due to the deficiencies in care. Doctors hope Sanders' diagnosis can influence others to take preventative steps. Geoffrey Mount Varner, an emergency room physician in Maryland, noted that Black people are less likely to get bladder cancer but are more likely to die from it. 'It does impact Black people more and aggressively,' he said. In a video of Sanders, 57, filmed in May but shared by his son on Sunday, the coach spoke about how emotionally and mentally draining it was to have to write a will before his surgery. 'That's not easy at all,' he said at the time. A high-profile figure like Sanders having a cancerous tumor on his bladder is likely to prompt more people to seek screening. Five years ago, the shocking death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at age 43 raised awareness among Black men of the importance of having a colonoscopy. Black people are at a disproportionately high risk for colon cancer diagnoses, according to the American Cancer Society, and the mortality rate has increased in recent years, particularly among Black men. Just four days before Sanders' press conference, Varner, also a Black man in his 50s, completed chemotherapy for prostate cancer. 'Cancer touches 100% of people,' Varner said. What is bladder cancer surgery like? During the press conference, Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Health, said Sanders chose to have bladder surgery over chemotherapy because it increased his chances to continue coaching. 'It's a laparoscopic surgery,' Kukreja, who performed the surgery, said, 'where we attach a robot to the patient, and then we do all the maneuvering of the robot, and then once the bladder comes out, we also take some lymph nodes to make sure it hasn't spread — and it didn't — and then we make a new bladder for people. 'We use their own intestine so they don't have to take immunosuppression. Life after the surgery, she said, 'is a new way of life, and it is a learning curve, for sure.' Sanders, who plans to coach the Buffaloes in the upcoming season, even joked that there may need to be a 'port-a-potty on the sideline.' Philippe Spiess, a genitourinary oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, said this procedure typically lasts between five and seven hours and 'involves removing the bladder, prostate and surrounding lymph nodes in the pelvis,' since the cancer could spread beyond the bladder.' Why Black Americans should take note Sanders used the Monday press conference to urge those watching to 'get checked out,' especially when there are even the mildest of symptoms that something is off. It was sound advice, Varner said. 'One of the screen exams for bladder cancer is, for instance, just a regular urinalysis,' he said. 'It will pick up blood in the urine, which is a symptom. If you don't go to your primary care physician and have these basic screenings done, you miss it. And by the time you have obvious symptoms, you're further along the line for prostate cancer or colon cancer or breast cancer for Black women.' Varner said up to 70% of cancers are tied to food consumption, especially fast food and ultraprocessed products. 'In Black communities, there are one and a half times more fast-food restaurants,' he said. 'The reason why that matters is that fast food restaurants serve hyperprocessed foods, which leads to or increases the risk of cancer. And so right off the bat, it puts Black folks at a disadvantage.' 'It would help all people, and the Black community specifically, if some of the basic screenings were free,' Varner said. As an ER doctor, Varner said he often sees patients who have long had symptoms of a serious illness, but by the time they get to the hospital, 'they want immediate care.' But earlier screening would make the issue of care a little less invasive and daunting. Varner said prostate-specific screenings for cancer and analysis should be more broadly accessible. 'There are programs that help with the cost of some tests,' he said. 'But we have to take advantage of them and not wait until it's too late.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Coach Deion Sanders - cancer free...and dating Karreuche Tran?
Dating rumors have sparked between Karreuche Tran and Coach Deion Sanders after she is seen bedside, holding his hand at the hospital in a recently shared video Actress Karrueche Tran has fueled relationship rumors with football icon Deion Sanders after appearing in a deeply emotional video taken at his bedside during bladder‑removal surgery. Despite neither party clarifying their relationship, fans and media outlets are intrigued by their bond, noting it may be more than just friendship. In the footage—part of a YouTube series documenting Sanders' recovery from bladder cancer marked 'For Your Glory'—Tran is seen tearfully briefing viewers on his condition. She choked back sobs as she explained that doctors had removed Sanders' bladder and constructed a new one using a segment of his intestine, calling the surgery the 'best' option to eliminate cancer that had been close to the bladder muscle. Later, Tran was captured holding Sanders' hand while nurses wheeled him down the hospital corridor, visibly relieved after the procedure . You can watch the emotional video below: Rumors of a relationship started earlier this year Earlier in 2025, the pair were spotted dining together, which initially sparked curiosity among fans. That lunch meeting had been interpreted as casual by many, but the emotional hospital footage has reignited speculation of something deeper . Observers on social media noted the chemistry between them—some said Tran appeared genuinely tender and at ease, prompting further attention to their possible closeness . Although neither Deion Sanders nor Karrueche Tran has publicly addressed the romance rumors, the combination of previous sightings and Sanders' serious health battle has fans wondering if their bond goes beyond support. Tran has a history of high-profile relationships, including with Chris Brown and Victor Cruz, adding context to the public's interest . Coach Sanders made the public aware of his cancer on the same day Sanders, who formally disclosed his bladder cancer on July 28, confirmed that following surgery, he is now declared cancer‑free by doctors, though he noted he can no longer urinate as he used to . Whether their connection is a budding romance or a deep friendship forged in a time of vulnerability, Karrueche Tran's presence suggests she stood by Sanders through a profoundly personal moment. Before becoming a coach, Sanders had a successful career in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl with San Francisco 49ers in 1995 and with the Dallas Cowboys one year later. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Solve the daily Crossword


Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox Sports
Colorado's Deion Sanders Had Bladder Removed Following Bladder Cancer Diagnosis
For the first time since his extended absence from Colorado's football program began this offseason, Deion Sanders went into detail about the health issues that kept him away from the team. Sanders revealed that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, undergoing an operation to remove his bladder after a malignant tumor was found. Dr. Janet Kukreja, Sanders' doctor, confirmed at a news conference on Monday that Sanders had since been cured of the cancer. "This was not an easy task because it was kind of a changing lifestyle," Sanders said. The tumor was discovered after Sanders went in for his annual CT scan to check his vascular patterns. During those tests, his primary care doctor saw something and advised Sanders to see a urologist. When Sanders met with Kukreja, they determined that he had "non-muscle invasive" bladder cancer. After discussing treatment operations, they decided to remove his bladder. Sanders had kept his health situation private for much of the offseason, giving vague comments about the matter on multiple podcast appearances. He also declined to answer questions about his health at Big 12 Media Days earlier in July. Sanders admitted that his sons, Shedeur and Shiloh, didn't even know what fully transpired with his health this offseason, saying he wanted them to be focused on football matters. However, he shared that his daughters and his eldest son, Deion Jr., were in the loop over his health situation. "Much love to my son, Junior, who has not left my side since we found out what was taking place. Not one day," Sanders said. "He's been with me here. He's been with me in Texas. He's been with me everywhere. Every day, I've seen his handsome face. I love you to life, son, and I thank you for everything that you've brought to the table." The operation to remove the tumor was Sanders' 14th opperation since 2021, his doctors shared on Monday. Sanders advocated for everyone to get screened for cancer. "If it wasn't for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn't have stumbled on this," Sanders said. "Make sure you get the right care because without wonderful people [like my doctors], I wouldn't be sitting here today. "But please, get yourself checked out." This is a developing story and will be updated. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders Reveals He Had to Make a Will amid His Ongoing Health Issues
The Pro Football Hall of Famer has been dealing with a mysterious illness in recent monthsNEED TO KNOW Deion Sanders says in a new social media video that he made a will, which was "not easy" for him The revelation comes amid ongoing questions surrounding Sanders' health The Colorado football coach has remained mum about his health while teasing he's been battling a lingering, serious medical issueDeion Sanders says his recent health issues have become so concerning that the Colorado football coach took the time to make a will for his family. Sanders, 57, made the revelation in a new social media video released Sunday, July 27 on YouTube, as part of his series documenting his University of Colorado football team during the 2025 offseason. The video includes clips from the last few months, and in one from May 9, the college football coach can be seen sitting on a medical table and scrolling through his phone as he explains that, 'I don't know if I'm ready mentally, emotionally.' 'Yesterday was tough because I had to make a will," Sanders then reveals in a somber tone. "That's not easy, at all, to think that you might not be there, but you want to make sure everybody is straight." Questions surrounding Sanders' health has dominated the Colorado Buffaloes' offseason. Sanders has yet to clarify exactly what lingering, mysterious health issue he has been dealing with, but has referenced the medical issue throughout recent months. The former NFL and MLB star has long suffered from blood clot issues related to his legs and feet, but his health problems have appeared to increase this year. Sanders has been away from his Colorado football team, had to cancel a keynote appearance at a sickle cell disease symposium in Florida and missed the wedding of former star Colorado football player and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, PEOPLE previously reported. Sanders had also been away from the school for several months prior to returning to campus recently for the team's first offseason meeting, shown in the recent YouTube video. Days before, Sanders said in another social media video that he is not 'all the way recovered' from the health issue he is facing. "You know I'm still going through something,' Sanders told his daughter Shelomi and son Deion Jr. in a video posted on Sunday, July 20. In the clip, the Hall of Fame football player, 57, gingerly joins his daughter in an ice bath outside their property in Texas. 'I'm getting better, though, right?' he said in the clip. A month prior at Big 12 Media Days, where coaches, players and university officials all gather to speak to the media before the upcoming college football season, Sanders shot down questions about his health. 'I'm really not going to tell you much. You know that,' Sanders told reporters, according to ESPN. 'I'm not here to talk about my health. I'm here to talk about my team.' Sanders is scheduled to host a press conference Monday, however, as questions surrounding his health still swirl around the team. The former NFL and MLB star is expected to provide some answers at the press conference, which was announced to feature members of his medical team, as well. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword