NBA legend Dwyane Wade just got real about a major health scare—one that could’ve been much worse if he hadn’t taken action. On his podcast, The Why With Dwyane Wade, he revealed that doctors removed a tumor from his kidney in December 2023, which was later found to be cancerous.
“Thank God that I did do the surgery,” Wade shared in Thursday’s episode. And honestly? That’s a message we all need to hear.
Wade admitted that he hadn’t been keeping up with regular checkups (hey, life happens), but when he started experiencing stomach and urinary issues, he knew it was time to see a doctor. A full-body scan uncovered a cyst-like tumor, leading to surgery that removed 40% of his right kidney.
For someone as strong and unstoppable as Wade, facing this challenge was humbling. “I think it was the first time my family—my dad, my kids—they saw me weak,” he said. “That moment was probably the weakest point I’ve ever felt in my life.”
And here’s where it gets real. Wade talked about how tough it was to let his family see him in a vulnerable state. “One thing you never want to do as a man, you never want your family to see you as weak… But I had to.”
His story is a powerful reminder that health is everything. Even the strongest among us need checkups, need support, and sometimes, need to let go of pride to prioritize their well-being.
So if you’ve been putting off that doctor’s visit—this is your sign to book it. Stay proactive, listen to your body, and most importantly, take care of YOU.