Hailey Tran
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach, was in the hospital after being diagnosed with bladder cancer. He underwent surgery to remove his bladder and was found to be cured of the cancer. Sanders had a history of health issues, including blood clots that required two toe amputations in 2021 and 2022. He also battled compartment syndrome on his left leg in 2021, which kept him in the hospital for 23 days. During a press conference, Sanders revealed that he had beaten bladder cancer and urged others to get checked out, especially if they notice even mild symptoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Treatment for bladder cancer |
| Type of cancer | Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) |
| Treatment | Surgery to remove bladder and create a new one from a section of the small intestine (neobladder) |
| Length of hospital stay | 23 days |
| Health complications | Blood clots in legs, two toes amputated in 2021, emergency surgery in June 2023 to treat persistent clots |
| Age | 57 |
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What You'll Learn
Deion Sanders had bladder cancer surgery
Deion Sanders, the Colorado football coach, underwent bladder cancer surgery after a tumour was discovered in his bladder. Sanders had his bladder removed and is now cured of cancer.
Sanders' bladder cancer diagnosis prompted him to urge others to get checked out, especially if they notice even mild symptoms. He also highlighted the importance of early testing, especially for Black people, as they tend to be at a higher health risk due to deficiencies in care.
The 57-year-old had a history of health issues, including blood clots and two toe amputations in 2021. He also underwent emergency surgery in June 2023 to treat persistent blood clots. Sanders revealed that he lost about 14 to 25 pounds during his health battle and experienced difficulties with bladder control post-surgery.
Sanders' surgery and recovery kept him away from campus and his coaching duties over the offseason. However, he returned to campus after recovering at his ranch in Texas and is set to continue coaching.
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He recovered at his ranch in Texas
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach, revealed in late July 2025 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer. He had undergone surgery to remove his bladder and was considered cured. Sanders had a history of health issues, including blood clots and two toe amputations in 2021 or 2022. He spent time away from his coaching duties while undergoing treatment and recovering from surgery.
Sanders chose to have his bladder reconstructed using a neobladder procedure, which involves creating a new bladder from a section of the small intestine. This allows patients to urinate in the usual way but requires effort and time to retrain the body to recognize the new bladder's signals. During his recovery, Sanders experienced incontinence, which he addressed with a sense of humour, stating that he depended on "Depend", referring to the underwear brand for incontinence.
Sanders recovered at his ranch in Canton, Texas, also referred to as his estate in east Texas. He returned to campus in late July 2025, expressing gratitude for his successful treatment and stating, "You have no idea how good God has been to me, for me to be here. You have no idea." Sanders also encouraged men to get screened for bladder cancer, emphasizing the importance of early detection and preventative measures.
Sanders' health journey and his openness about it have shed light on the importance of cancer screening and prevention, especially within the Black community, where there are often higher health risks due to deficiencies in care. His experience has prompted conversations about the impact of food consumption on cancer rates, with up to 70% of cancers tied to ultra-processed products and fast food.
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Sanders has a history of blood clots
Deion Sanders has a history of health issues, including blood clots that required two toe amputations in 2021. He spent 23 days in the hospital in the fall of 2021 and said he nearly died there as he battled compartment syndrome in his left leg. Sanders has had bouts with blood clots in his legs and underwent emergency surgery in June 2023 to treat the persistent clots, including one in his thigh and several just below his knee in the other leg. He has a history of blood circulation issues in his legs and has said that blood clots run in his family, with one uncle dying from it.
Sanders' bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment brought attention to the importance of early testing and screening for cancer. He underwent surgery to remove his bladder and was considered cured of cancer. However, he experienced challenges with his restructured bladder, including incontinence issues that he addressed with a sense of humour. He also encouraged men to get screened for bladder cancer and undergo regular urinalysis to detect any symptoms.
Sanders' health issues included blood clots and bladder cancer, requiring multiple surgeries and highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment. His open discussion of his health journey has raised awareness and encouraged others to take proactive steps towards their health.
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He had two toes amputated in 2021
Deion Sanders has a history of health issues, including blood clots that required two toes to be amputated in 2021. In 2021, Sanders spent 23 days in the hospital, where he battled compartment syndrome in his left leg and had two toes amputated from his left foot. He missed three games that season as head coach of Jackson State in Mississippi, but he recovered enough to lead his team to an 11-2 record that season, including the three games he missed.
Sanders has had several bouts with blood clots in his legs. In June 2023, he underwent emergency surgery to treat persistent clots, including one in his thigh and several just below his knee in the other leg. He has also had to undergo additional surgeries to fix blood clots. Sanders has a history of blood circulation issues in his legs, and his family has a history of blood clots, with one of his uncles dying from them.
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Sanders urged people to get checked out
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach, revealed in July 2025 that he had bladder cancer and underwent surgery to remove his bladder. Sanders had been absent from team practices and other events in the months leading up to his announcement, sparking speculation about his health.
Sanders shared his journey and experience with bladder cancer during a press conference, where he also urged those watching to "get checked out." He emphasized the importance of early detection and regular screenings, specifically mentioning urinalysis as a simple screening tool for bladder cancer that can detect blood in the urine.
Sanders' advice resonates with the medical community, as early screening can make the issue of care less invasive and daunting. Varner, an ER doctor, added that up to 70% of cancers are tied to food consumption, especially fast food and ultra-processed products.
Sanders' high-profile diagnosis is likely to encourage more people to seek screening and raise awareness about the importance of preventative measures. As a public figure, Sanders used his platform to shed light on the seriousness of cancer and the impact it can have on anyone, regardless of wealth or status.
Sanders' battle with bladder cancer and his recovery have been an inspiration to many. He has shown strength and resilience throughout his journey, and his openness about his experience has helped raise awareness and potentially save lives.
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Frequently asked questions
Deion Sanders was in the hospital for bladder cancer treatment.
Bladder cancer is a cancerous tumour found in the bladder. It is more common in men than in women, and risk factors include smoking, exposure to certain industrial chemicals, older age, and chronic bladder irritation and infections.
Deion Sanders underwent surgery to remove his bladder and create a new one using a section of his small intestine, known as a neobladder.
Yes, Deion Sanders has made a full recovery and is now considered cured of cancer. He has returned to his role as a football coach and is expected to lead his team this season.
Deion Sanders urged people to get checked out and seek preventative screening, especially if they notice even mild symptoms. He emphasised the importance of early detection in improving treatment outcomes.
