Hall of Fame basketball player Dwyane Wade recently disclosed on his podcast, The WY Network, that he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his kidney. The 43-year-old former NBA star had 40% of his right kidney removed 13 months ago but only shared the news publicly on Thursday.
Wade described the diagnosis as “shocking,” admitting he had postponed routine physical checkups for years. Inspired by his father’s battle with prostate cancer, Wade finally consulted a doctor after experiencing stomach problems, cramps, and a weak urine stream.
During the podcast episode, Wade recounted telling his co-host Bob Metelus about the process: “On the process of checking, like, ‘Why is my piss coming out slow, why is my stream ain’t powerful? Why is it a little weak?’” A full-body scan subsequently revealed a “cyst/tumor” on one of his kidneys, requiring surgery.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/dwyane-wade-gabrielle-union-420a1140b2ea4ffa92fe2e5a7e4560cf.jpg)
Multiple medical opinions confirmed the need for the procedure, leading Wade to undergo surgery on December 18, 2023. Doctors determined the tumor was cancerous after removing almost half of his left kidney. Further details regarding Wade’s current health status haven’t been released.
The three-time NBA champion shared that this experience profoundly impacted his understanding of family. “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,” Wade confessed. He described it as “the weakest point I’ve ever felt in my life,” acknowledging the personal struggle he faced during his recovery.
Wade emphasized the importance of his decision to have the surgery: “If this is cancerous, if this tumor, this cyst is cancerous, on your kidney, you’re 41 years old, you probably need surgery because it’s something that needs to be removed so it doesn’t spread.” He also reflected on the vulnerability he displayed throughout the ordeal. “As a man, you never want your family to see you weak,” Wade stated, “Don’t want to be perceived weak, don’t want to be seen in your weakest moments but I had to.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/dwyane-wade-gabrielle-union-420a1140b2ea4ffa92fe2e5a7e4560cf.jpg)
The experience strengthened his family bonds. “What I saw in the midst of me going through my illness, I saw my family that may not always talk, may not always agree. I saw everybody show up for me and be there for me and in that process, in my weakness I found strength in my family,” Wade shared.
Wade has two children, Zaire (22) and Zaya (17), with his ex-wife Siovaughn Funches. He also has a son, Xavier (11), with Aja Metoyer, and a daughter, Kaavia James (6), with his wife, actress Gabrielle Union. Wade is also the legal guardian of his nephew, Dahveon Morris (21).
