Bladder Cancer: Learning from Deion Sanders’ Story

Bladder Cancer: Deion Sanders’ Story and What You Need to Know

Hey there, Colorado neighbors! Let’s have a real talk about something important. You’ve probably caught wind of Deion Sanders, our very own Coach Prime at the University of Colorado Buffaloes, sharing a personal story in July 2025. At a press conference in Boulder, the NFL legend and high-energy coach opened up about his fight with high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Diagnosed earlier this year, he underwent major surgery to remove his bladder and is now cancer-free, thanks to his incredible medical team. His journey hits close to home for us here in Colorado, and it’s a reminder to stay on top of our health. As your local primary care practice, we’re here to walk you through bladder cancer: what it is, how to spot it, what to do, and how to stay healthy—in a way that’s easy to understand and relatable whether you’re a Buffs fan or not.

What’s Bladder Cancer All About?

Imagine your bladder as a small balloon in your lower belly that holds urine until you’re ready to let it go. Sometimes, the cells lining that balloon start growing out of control, forming tumors. That’s bladder cancer. It can range from a small growth on the surface to something more serious that spreads deeper or even to other parts of your body. Deion Sanders had non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, meaning it was caught before it spread into the bladder’s deeper layers. His tumor was found by chance during a CT scan for something else; talk about a lucky break!

Bladder cancer isn’t super rare, especially for men, but don’t worry, we’re going to break it down so you know what to look out for and how to stay proactive.

By the Numbers: How Common is Bladder Cancer?

Here’s the scoop: about 85,000 people in the U.S. get diagnosed with bladder cancer every year. Men are about four times more likely to get it than women. That’s roughly 63,000 guys and 22,000 women each year. Here in Colorado, we see around 1,500 new cases annually, so it’s definitely on our radar in our community.

It tends to show up more in older folks, with the average age at diagnosis around 73. If you smoke, your risk is higher, in fact, smoking is linked to nearly half of all cases. Here’s something to note: while Black individuals are less likely to get bladder cancer, they’re more likely to face worse outcomes, often because it’s caught later. Deion Sanders’ openness about his diagnosis is a big deal, especially for the Black community, as Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner pointed out. He hopes it’ll encourage more people to get checked early.

The good news? If caught early, like in Sanders’ case, the 5-year survival rate is about 77%. If it spreads, that number drops to around 10%. That’s why early detection is so crucial, and Sanders’ story shows how it can change everything.

What Should You Watch For?

Let’s talk symptoms. Bladder cancer can be sneaky, like it was for Deion—he didn’t have any symptoms, and his cancer was found by accident. But for most folks, the biggest red flag is blood in your urine. It might look pink, orange, or dark red, and it could show up just once and then vanish. Don’t ignore it! Dr. Daniel Geynisman, an expert from Fox Chase Cancer Center, says too many people brush off this sign, thinking it’s nothing, and that can delay diagnosis for months. Time is critical with this disease.

Other things to keep an eye on include:

• Pain or burning when you pee
• Feeling like you need to go all the time, even if your bladder’s not full
• A weak stream when you’re trying to pee
• Pain in your lower back on one side (usually if the cancer’s more advanced)
• Feeling tired, losing weight, or having bone pain (if it’s spread)

If any of this sounds like you, don’t wait, give us a call immediately. Even if it’s just a one-time thing, it’s worth checking out. Deion’s story reminds us that sometimes you don’t feel anything at all, so staying on top of your health is super important.

What Puts You at Risk?

Some things make bladder cancer more likely, and it’s good to know where you stand. Here’s the rundown:

• Smoking: This is the biggest one. Chemicals in cigarettes get into your urine and irritate your bladder over time, causing nearly half of all cases.
• Age and gender: If you’re a guy over 55, your risk is higher.
• Work exposures: Jobs involving chemicals like dyes, paints, or textiles can increase your risk. Think factory workers or hairdressers.
• Bladder issues: Chronic infections, long-term catheter use, or bladder stones can irritate the lining.
• Family history: If it runs in your family, you might be more likely to get it.
• Diet and lifestyle: Dr. Varner noted that processed foods, especially in communities with less access to fresh produce, might play a role.

Deion Sanders is a fit, active guy, and he still got hit with this. It just shows that cancer doesn’t care who you are. But his proactive attitude, jumping on treatment and sharing his story, gives us all something to learn from.

Can We Screen for It?

Here’s the deal: there’s no standard screening test for bladder cancer like there is for colon or breast cancer. But if you’re at higher risk, maybe you smoke, work with chemicals, or have a family history, we can keep a closer eye on you. A simple urine test can check for blood or abnormal cells, which is a great starting point. Deion’s cancer was spotted during a CT scan for something else, which isn’t typical but shows how imaging can sometimes catch it.

If you notice blood in your urine or other symptoms, we’ll likely send you to a Urologist for a cystoscopy, where we use a tiny camera to look inside your bladder. It sounds scarier than it is and most folks handle it just fine. Here in Colorado, we encourage everyone, especially those with risk factors, to come in for regular checkups. Deion’s message to “get checked out” is one we’re shouting from the rooftops. And if cost is a concern, there are programs, like the ones Dr. Varner mentioned, that can help cover screenings for folks who need it.

How Do We Diagnose It?

If we suspect bladder cancer, we’ve got a few tools to figure out what’s going on:

• Urinalysis or urine cytology: These tests look for blood or cancerous cells in your urine.
• Cystoscopy: That tiny camera lets us see any growths in your bladder.
• Imaging: CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds can show us what’s happening in and around your bladder.
• Biopsy: If we see something suspicious, we’ll take a small sample during the cystoscopy to confirm if it’s cancer and figure out how serious it is.

For Deion, it started with that CT scan, which led to a referral to an oncologist who confirmed high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. It hadn’t spread deep into the bladder or beyond, which gave him a lot of options. That early catch is why we’re so big on getting checked out as soon as possible.

What Happens If You’re Diagnosed?

Treatment depends on what kind of bladder cancer you have and how far it’s progressed. Deion went all in—he had a robot-assisted laparoscopic cystectomy, where his bladder was removed, and a new one (called a neobladder) was made from part of his intestine. That’s a big surgery, but it let him get back to coaching without needing years of treatments. His oncologist said they chose this because his cancer had a 50% chance of coming back, and Deion wanted to tackle it head-on so he could focus on his team and family.

Other options include:

• Intravesical therapy: For early cancers, we put medications and chemotherapy right into your bladder to fight the cancer cells.
• Systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy: These are for more advanced cases or if the cancer’s spread.
• Radiation: Not used as often but can be an option in some cases.
• Monitoring: Even after treatment, we keep a close eye with regular scans to make sure the cancer doesn’t come back.

Deion’s surgery was his 14th since 2021, talk about resilience! He’s now adjusting to life with a neobladder, which we’ll talk about next.

Living with a Neobladder or Bladder Cancer

If you end up with a neobladder like Deion, it’s a bit of a lifestyle change. Your new bladder, made from your intestine, doesn’t work quite like the old one. You might need to use a catheter or train your pelvic muscles to pee. Deion was super honest about it, calling it “a whole life change” and even joking about the challenges, like losing 25 pounds and figuring out his new normal. But he’s back on the field, coaching and inspiring, which shows you can live a full life after this.

If you’re dealing with bladder cancer, you might feel tired, lose weight, or struggle emotionally. That’s totally normal, and we’re here to help. Support groups, counseling, or just talking to your doctor can make a huge difference. Deion kept his diagnosis private at first, even from his kids and team, but sharing it later helped him connect with others. You don’t have to go through it alone.

How Can You Lower Your Risk?

You can’t prevent every case, but you can tilt the odds in your favor:

• Quit smoking: If you smoke, this is the biggest thing you can do. We can help you find resources to quit.
• Stay safe at work: If you’re around chemicals, use protective gear.
• Drink water: It might help flush out harmful stuff from your bladder.
• Eat smart: More fruits and veggies, fewer processed foods. Dr. Varner noted this is especially important in communities where healthy food isn’t always easy to get.

Deion’s Lesson for All of Us

Deion Sanders’ story is about more than just beating cancer, it’s about taking charge of your health. He didn’t have symptoms, but a random scan caught his tumor early, and his quick action made all the difference. Now cancer-free, he’s using his platform to tell everyone, “Get checked out.” As your Colorado primary care team, we’re right there with him.

Here’s what you can do:

• Come in for checkups: Even if you feel fine, regular visits can catch things early.
• Speak up about symptoms: Blood in your urine or weird pee habits? Tell us right away.
• Know your risks: If you smoke or have a family history, let’s talk about what that means.
• Lean on us: Whether it’s screenings, referrals to specialists, or just a chat, we’re here for you.

If you’re worried about costs, check out local programs for free or low-cost screenings. Deion’s story is a reminder that anyone can face this, but with early action, you’ve got a great shot at coming out on top.

Wrapping It Up

Bladder cancer is serious, but it’s something we can tackle together. Deion Sanders showed us that even a tough diagnosis doesn’t have to define you. His journey from a surprise diagnosis to being cancer-free is a beacon of hope, especially here in Colorado. Whether you’re cheering for the Buffs or just trying to stay healthy, take a page from Coach Prime’s playbook: don’t ignore your body, get checked, and face challenges head-on. Got questions or symptoms? Give us a call or swing by the office. We’re your partners in this, and we’ve got your back.

References

• American Cancer Society. (2025). Bladder Cancer Key Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
• National Cancer Institute. (2025). Bladder Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/patient/bladder-treatment-pdq
• Geynisman, D. M. (2025). Personal communication on bladder cancer symptoms and diagnosis, Fox Chase Cancer Center.
• Mount Varner, G. (2025). Personal communication on bladder cancer disparities and community health initiatives.

Note: Want to learn more about screenings? Reach out to us or check out https://www.cancer.org for general cancer info. Always talk to your doctor for advice tailored to you.