Prime Time opens up about his cancer diagnosis

Hello everyone, I'm Dan Lucy on the Ozarks First digital desk.

As a person who has battled prostate cancer, I thought I'd like to bring you this news.

There was a news conference in Boulder, Colorado Monday with Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders talking about his program.

Some thought Sanders, who has had multiple health issues may be stepping away as coach.

Quite the opposite, Sanders told reporters that he was going to coach this upcoming season.

What Sanders did say was that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer.

he underwent surgery to remove his bladder and is fit to coach.

Deion Sanders has been head coach at Colorado for the past two seasons.

And that's just the latest incarnation of prime time.

Deion Sanders played nine seasons of professional baseball.

And he played 14 seasons in the National Football League.

Sanders is an eight time pro bowler, a two time Super Bowl champion, and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2011.

He moved into coaching and has been wildly successful on and off the field at Colorado.

He said sharing the news with his team, that he'll be back, was emotional.

Deion Sanders:"It was wonderful to see my team again."

While getting routine CT scans for blood clots, the doctors discovered the bladder cancer.

Sanders turned to Dr. Janet Kukreja from the University of Colorado's Cancer Center.

She removed the bladder arthroscopically and rebuilt a new bladder out of part of his intestines.

Dr. Kukreja explains what happened.

Dr. Janet Kukreja:"We removed the bladder and we can say now he's cured of the cancer."

As a person who's battled cancer, we're a little leary of saying the "cured" word.

We like to say we are in remission and a thriver.

Cancer is a tricky beast and we always need to be tested and make sure our numbers are where they need to be.

That's the same with Deion Sanders.

One thing is critical for both my type of cancer, prostate, and Prime Time's bladder cancer: early detection was key to finding and fighting the cancer.

Sanders: "Men get tested, if I wasn't tested for something else they wouldn't have found this. And I wouldn't be sitting here today."

I salute Deion Sanders for speaking in front of reporters.

Telling them what happened, Saluting his surgeon and Colorado athletic trainer.

And telling the people in the room and at home watching, get tested.

Especially if you are a man age 50 and older, get tested for prostate cancer.

It's a simple blood test, it doesn't hurt and it just may save your life.

If you have any questions about prostate cancer, reach out to me at dlucy@kolr10.com.

I'd love to talk with you.

For more sports watch Ozarks First news at nine and ten.

And I'll see you then.