<p id=”par-1_66″>It’s not easy to talk about personal health issues, especially when it comes to your urine. But <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/gabrielle-union-named-husband-dwyane-wade-wasnt-good-ego.html/”>Dwyane Wade</a> is doing just that to encourage men to prioritize their health. On the January 30, 2025, episode of his podcast, the 43-year-old revealed that <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/gabrielle-union-dwyane-wade-proudly-celebrate-zaya-wade-out100-gala.html/”>his life changed forever</a> one year ago when he finally went to the doctor for a physical after years of putting it off.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-dwyane-wade-receives-shocking-cancer-news-from-his-doctor”>Dwyane Wade receives ‘shocking’ cancer news from his doctor</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Why-podcast-Bob-Metelus-Dwyane-Wade.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Dwyane Wade smiles with Bob Metelus and Justin Tinsley at a 2021 event in Miami” class=”wp-image-3769776″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Bob Metelus, Dwyane Wade, and Justin Tinsley in 2021 | Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-2_81″>The first episode of <em>The WY Network</em>, also known as <em>The Why with Dwyane Wade</em>, premiered on January 17, 2024. The 3-time NBA champion and his co-host, filmmaker Bob Metelus, sat down with 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame inductees, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/how-many-times-has-eva-longoria-been-married.html/”>Tony Parker</a>, to discuss personal and professional challenges. Little did listeners know that one month earlier, on December 18, 2023, Wade had 40% of his right kidney removed after finally acknowledging a growing list of physical symptoms.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Dwyane-Wade-interview.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”George Stephanopoulos interviews Dwyane Wade of the Chicago Bulls about the murder of his cousin Nykea Aldridge in 2016″ class=”wp-image-3769772″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Dwyane Wade speaks about the murder of his cousin Nykea Aldridge in 2016 | Richard Harbaugh/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_75″>For years, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/gabrielle-union-blossoms-in-date-night-lbd-at-the-2024-paris-olympics.html/”>Wade</a> put off going to the doctor. But he couldn’t ignore the stomach pain, cramps, and urination issues he’d been experiencing. After witnessing his dad’s experience with prostate cancer, he came to terms with a needed visit to the doctor. Wade detailed his health issues on the podcast, “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?’”</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Dwyane-Wade-Gabrielle-Union.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Gabrielle Union smiles on the red carpet as Dwyane Wade admires her” class=”wp-image-3769775″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade at the Out100 Celebration on December 11, 2024 | Olivia Wong/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_71″>“As a man, you never <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dwyane-wade-once-gifted-mother-entire-church.html/”>want your family</a> to see you weak,” Wade explained. “Don’t want to be perceived weak, don’t want to be seen in your weakest moments but I had to.” He got a full-body scan, which revealed a “cyst/tumor” on his right kidney. After several doctors recommended kidney surgery, Wade had nearly half of the organ removed, resulting in “shocking” news that the tumor was indeed cancerous. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-dwyane-wade-was-struggling-at-the-weakest-point-in-his-life”>Dwyane Wade was ‘struggling’ at the ‘weakest point’ in his life</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Dwyane-Wade-Zaire-Zaya-Gabrielle-Union.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Family members Zaire Wade, Zaya Wade, Gabrielle Union, and Dwyane Wade smile together at a 2024 Miami event” class=”wp-image-3769774″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Zaire Wade, Zaya Wade, Gabrielle Union, and Dwyane Wade at a festival on October 26, 2024 | Manny Hernandez/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_82″>“I think it was the first time that my family, my dad, my kids; they saw me weak,” Wade admitted. “That moment was probably the weakest point I’ve ever felt in my life … I was struggling, dog.” The 13-time NBA All-Star isn’t alone in his feelings of weakness. A national survey by the <a href=”https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/09/04/cleveland-clinic-survey-men-will-do-almost-anything-to-avoid-going-to-the-doctor” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Cleveland Clinic</a> found that 65% of men avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. Only three out of five men go to the doctor for routine check-ups.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Dwyane-Wade-family-kids-wife.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Dwyane Wade stands with his wife and kids at a black tie event in 2024″ class=”wp-image-3769773″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Kenny Kinder, Tragil Wade, Zaire Wade, Dwyane Wade, Kaavia Wade, Gabrielle Union, Jolinda Wade, Zaya Wade, and Dahveon Morris at Dwyane’s 003 Statues Are Forever Party on October 25, 2024 in Miami Beach | Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for 4WRD</figcaption></figure>
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<p id=”par-6_101″>However, receiving regular care involves many life-changing positives. In addition to catching his cancerous tumor before it was too late, Wade said he learned the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/gabrielle-union-regretted-bring-it-on-character.html/”>true meaning of family</a>. The Olympic gold medalist has a blended family that includes his former wife, current wife, four biological children, and nephew. Wade shared, “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.”</p>
<p id=”par-7_21″>Wade did not reveal his current health status on <em>The WY Network</em> podcast. We wish him well on his health journey.</p>