Deion Sanders health update: Doctor reveals whether cancer treatment impacts Coach Prime's day-to-day

On Monday, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders revealed that doctors found and removed a cancerous tumor from his bladder earlier this year. Sanders brought his doctor, Janet Kukreja, with him to the press conference and she revealed how Sanders’ surgery will affect him moving forward.

“Day-to-day, I think for most patients, it becomes just a new way of life,” Kukreja said. “But outlook very good. We’ll just keep him on routine surveillance scans. Other than that, nothing else.”

Sanders repeatedly discussed his need to urinate more often since the surgery. He had to use a catheter following the procedure and said he would fill up two urinary bags per night. Sanders also said that he will have a portable toilet on the sidelines during Colorado’s practices and games this year.

Until Monday, Sanders’ health status had been a mystery. The 57-year-old head coach had missed several pre-planned events and camps in Boulder, but attended Big 12 Media Days.

This isn’t the first time Sanders has had health issues while at Colorado. In 2021, Sanders underwent several foot surgeries and had two toes on his left foot amputated as a result of blood clots. In total, Sanders has had 14 surgeries since 2021.

“It’s been a tremendous journey. It’s been tough. I think I dropped 25 pounds,” Sanders said. “It’s just dealing with the catheter, dealing with all the stuff that I had to deal with, and right now I’m still dealing with going to the bathroom. Like, it’s a whole life change. I can’t — and I’m gonna be transparent — I can’t pee. Like, I used to pee. It’s totally different.

“I get up and go to the bathroom already four or five times a night, but then I’m sitting up there waking up, you know, like my grandson… We got the same problem right now, we going through the same trials and tribulations.”

Deion Sanders is entering his third season at the helm of Colorado football. After posting a 4-8 record in his debut campaign at Colorado, Sanders led the Buffaloes to an outstanding 9-4 season in 2024.

Colorado posted a 7-2 record in its first season against Big 12 competition and nearly reached the conference championship game. With Colorado stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders moving onto the NFL this offseason, Deion Sanders will have to find new ways to win this fall. Alas, he’s excited for the challenge.

“They were great players. We have a better team,” Sanders said at Big 12 Media Days. “There’s a difference between great players and a great team. We have a better team, but we can never replace those type of players.”