The “Coach Prime” Effect: Longtime News Anchor Says NFL Legend Deion Sanders, 59, Helped Him Learn the Warning Signs of Bladder Cancer Before He Was Diagnosed Himself
The “Coach Prime” Effect: Longtime News Anchor Says NFL Legend Deion Sanders, 59, Helped Him Learn the Warning Signs of Bladder Cancer Before He Was Diagnosed Himself
Denver anchor Chris Parente says his bladder cancer diagnosis immediately made him think of Deion Sanders, whose public battle helped raise awareness of the disease.
Blood in the urine was Parente’s first warning sign — a symptom Dr. Arjun Balar calls “far and away the most common presenting symptom” of early bladder cancer.
“Surgery for bladder cancer is highly curative, but it’s associated with substantial impact on quality of life, and that impact is permanent,” Dr. Arjun Balar, Director of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet.
Inlexzo offers a new bladder‑sparing option by delivering gemcitabine continuously inside the bladder, which one doctor describes as providing “a sustained local release of gemcitabine” over several weeks.
The device’s pretzel‑shaped insert, replaced on a set schedule, has shown strong activity in trials, though experts stress it’s best suited for carefully selected bladder cancer patients unresponsive to immunotherapy.
A longtime Denver, Colorado news anchor says that when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, his mind immediately went to NFL legend Deion Sanders, 59, whose public battle helped bring attention to the disease.
“I didn’t know a damn thing about it other than having followed what happened to Coach Prime,” Chris Parente, 53, told Westword.
The seven‑time Emmy Award–winning reporter, anchor, and entertainment host says his first warning sign was blood in the toilet after using the bathroom.
Bladder cancer is often detected early because its most common initial symptom — blood in the urine, or hematuria — is hard to miss. The blood can turn urine orange, pink, or even dark red in more severe cases.
“That is far and away the most common presenting symptom,” said Dr. Arjun Balar, director of the genitourinary medical oncology program at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.
In early‑stage bladder cancer, when tumors are small and confined to the bladder, this bleeding is typically painless.
WATCH: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?
Parente sought medical care, and tests revealed a tumor in his bladder.
“So I was in the cancer club, but when you join, it’s not like there’s a brochure. It’s more like, ‘You’ll have surgery in two weeks and drink plenty of fluids.’ Initially, I went into shock,” Parente said.
Fortunately, his cancer was caught very early and had not spread, making treatment far more manageable.
Photo: Instagram/ChrisParenteTv
“I’ve learned that if bladder cancer is caught early enough, the outlook is pretty good and there are a lot of treatment options. But the problem is, bladder cancer likes to come back. It’s one of the highest cancers in terms of recurrence,” he explained.
WATCH: What Happens When a Bladder Cancer Recurrence Is Suspected and Confirmed?
“Surveillance after bladder cancer surgery is extremely important,” Dr. Balar tells SurvivorNet.
According to the National Cancer Institute, surveillance helps detect early signs of recurrence and is also used for people at increased risk of cancer. It involves regular exams and tests on a set schedule.
“The risk of recurrence, even despite chemotherapy and surgery, is highest within the first two to three years, and especially within the first year,” Dr. Balar added.
Parente’s treatment path eventually led him to Inlexzo, an FDA‑approved device for certain patients — one of several bladder‑sparing options cleared in the past six years according to the Cancer Network.
Parente describes the treatment, which slowly releases chemotherapy inside the bladder.
Deion Sanders pictured on February 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
“They put this little bitty rod inside my bladder, and once it’s in there, it forms the shape of a pretzel. In that way, I cannot pee it out. It stays in my bladder because of the pretzel shape. And this pretzel has chemotherapy pellets in it that are slowly time‑released, so that my bladder is getting chemo 24 hours a day. The pretzel stays in for almost a month at a time. Then I go to the doctor, and they take the old pretzel out and put a new one in.”
Parente expects to finish his current treatment next February.
“Cancer has a way of snapping your life into focus in a powerful way,” he said.
“The more I’ve gotten into this, the more I realize that I want to use my voice to be an advocate for patients. I want to tell the story of what it’s like to have cancer in a way that’s vulnerable and open and funny and genuine as best I can. I’ve always been able to talk — I’m a talker — and I want to use that ability to do some good.”
Parente says he’s preparing to step away from the news desk to focus more on his cancer treatment soon.
More on the Bladder Cancer Treatment Giving Parente Hope
In September 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Inlexzo (also known as the gemcitabine intravesical system or TAR‑200) for adults with BCG‑unresponsive NMIBC — a group that previously faced extremely difficult treatment decisions.
BCG is Bacillus Calmette–Guérin, a type of immunotherapy used directly inside the bladder to treat certain early-stage bladder cancers.
The approval, granted under Priority Review and supported by a Breakthrough Therapy Designation, marked a major milestone. Inlexzo is the first intravesical drug‑releasing device — meaning a device that delivers medicine directly into the bladder — ever approved for bladder cancer.
The treatment process includes several steps:
A device smaller than a quarter and shaped like a pretzel is placed inside the bladder.
It slowly releases chemotherapy directly into the tumor environment over three weeks.
At the next visit, the device is removed and replaced.
All of this can be done during a routine office appointment.
“What makes Inlexzo distinct is that it’s not simply delivering intravesical gemcitabine in the way we would traditionally think about it,” Dr. David Aggen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
“It’s an intravesical delivery system where a device is inserted into the bladder; it remains in place for about three weeks, and then it provides a sustained local release of gemcitabine, which is very different from standard intravesical gemcitabine, where the drug is instilled as a liquid and may have a short dwell time.”
Dr. Aggen adds, “The value of TAR‑200 is that it delivers gemcitabine slowly over the course of weeks.”
Gemcitabine has long been used in bladder cancer, but when administered conventionally, it only stays in contact with bladder tissue for 30 minutes to an hour before being excreted. Inlexzo solves that problem by maintaining continuous exposure.
“We think the sustained exposure of gemcitabine may result in more drug exposure ultimately to the cancer and that you may have better outcomes. That’s the particular advantage,” Dr. Aggen says.
In clinical trials, about 8 out of 10 patients had no detectable cancer at some point during treatment — a strong signal of activity in a difficult‑to‑treat population.
Although an “intravesical device” may sound intimidating, Dr. Aggen emphasizes that insertion and removal are straightforward.
“The device is inserted as a linear device,” he explains. “Inside the bladder, the device is about the size of a quarter. It folds up almost in a pretzel‑like shape, and then it’s retrieved at every three‑week installation to introduce a new device.”
Patients do not need to hold their urine or follow special preparation instructions beyond arriving with a non‑empty bladder. After insertion, they’re advised to stay well‑hydrated — typically six to seven cups of fluid per day — and urinate normally. No activity restrictions are required.
Delahoussaye told Vanderbilt Health News that he drinks up to 96 ounces of water a day (about 12 cups) to help prevent the device from lodging in the bladder, which can cause irritation. Hydration needs vary, so patients should follow their care team’s guidance.
The dosing schedule spans two years across two phases:
First six months: device placed every three weeks (eight doses total).
Following 18 months: device placed every 12 weeks (six additional doses).
Despite strong enthusiasm for Inlexzo’s results, Dr. Aggen stresses that it is not appropriate for every patient with BCG‑unresponsive disease.
“Inlexzo is a favorable option for patients who have BCG‑unresponsive disease,” he says. “I think that patients need to have a component of carcinoma in situ. Patients who have pure T1 disease that’s refractory to BCG are a much higher‑risk group, and perhaps those are patients who should be sent to their urologist for a discussion of an early cystectomy.”
He also notes that the treatment schedule can be demanding.
“It does require device installation every three weeks for a set period of time, and you need a patient who’s willing and agreeable to go through those procedures,” Dr. Aggen says. “It’s very distinct from BCG, which is given weekly for six weeks, and the frequency of administration may be cumbersome for certain patients.”
His advice: stay closely aligned with your care team.
“With any intravesical therapy, it’s really important to be on the same page with your urologist about what the surveillance plan is so you don’t miss a cancer coming back more aggressively,” he adds.
Overall, Inlexzo represents a promising new treatment approach — one that delivers chemotherapy directly to the bladder over time and may help some patients avoid or delay major surgery. But it is not the right choice for everyone.
While patient preference is central to treatment planning, doctors also evaluate several clinical factors that may determine whether surgery or bladder-preserving therapy is more appropriate.
These include:
Age and overall physical fitness
Other medical conditions (comorbidities)
Prior radiation treatments to the pelvis
“There are patients who would be at very high risk for adverse surgical outcomes based on potential factors such as their level of activity, their age, their other medical comorbidities,” Dr. Elizabeth Wulff of the University of Kansas Medical Center explained to SurvivorNet.
When bladder cancer is diagnosed, surgery may be recommended to remove the bladder and surrounding cancerous tissue to prevent the disease from spreading. Your treatment path will depend on several factors, including your overall health, the stage and grade of your cancer, and your personal preferences.
Understanding the Surgical Options
Bladder cancer surgery typically involves removing the bladder (a procedure called cystectomy) and nearby tissue. In many cases, a urinary diversion is also needed—this reroutes the flow of urine through a new pathway.
There are two main surgical approaches:
Open Surgery
This traditional method involves a single, large incision from the belly button downward. The surgeon uses their hands to access and remove the bladder directly.
“Open surgery means making a cut on the skin and using our hands to do the operation,” explains Dr. Jay Shah, urologic oncology expert at Stanford Cancer Center.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery
A minimally invasive technique using several small incisions. The surgeon operates robotic instruments to perform the procedure with precision.
“Instead of one big cut, robotic surgery uses keyhole-size incisions and robotic tools,” says Dr. Shah.
Comparing Open vs. Robotic Surgery
Both approaches are effective for bladder cancer that hasn’t spread. The choice often depends on your surgeon’s expertise and your own preferences.
Open Surgery: Pros & Cons
Advantages:
More surgeons are trained in this method
Direct access to the bladder in emergencies
Considerations:
More invasive, with longer recovery
Higher risk of bleeding and infection
Robotic Surgery: Pros & Cons
Advantages:
Less pain and blood loss
Lower infection risk
Shorter hospital stay and recovery
Minimal scarring
Considerations:
Not all surgeons are trained in robotic techniques
May require travel to a specialized center
Slightly higher risk of urinary tract infections
“What matters most is that your surgeon is experienced in the method they recommend,” Dr. Shah emphasizes. “You don’t want robotic surgery from someone who’s only trained in open techniques—or vice versa.”
Urinary Reconstruction & Diversion
If your bladder is removed, your surgeon will create a new way for urine to exit your body. This can be done using a portion of your intestine or an external collection system. These procedures are complex and often performed using open surgery.
Three common options include:
Ileal Conduit: Urine flows through a stoma into an external bag, which is emptied throughout the day.
Indiana Pouch (Cutaneous Continent Reservoir): A pouch made from intestine collects urine internally. A catheter is used to drain it through a stoma.
Orthotopic Neobladder: A new bladder is constructed from intestine and connected to the urethra, allowing urine to exit the body naturally. Your surgeon will recommend the best option based on your anatomy, health status, and lifestyle.
Making the Right Decision for You
Robotic cystectomy offers benefits like reduced pain and faster recovery, but open surgery may be better suited for complex cases. Studies show that long-term outcomes are similar between the two methods.
The most important factor? Choosing a surgeon who is skilled in the approach they recommend—and who takes the time to understand your needs.
Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer
Smoking is one of the most dangerous contributors to bladder cancer. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports that roughly half of all bladder cancer cases are caused by smoking.
Why? The toxic chemicals in nicotine and other compounds found in cigarettes remain in the bladder for extended periods before being flushed out through urine—giving them more time to damage bladder tissue.
WATCH: Understanding bladder cancer risk factors.
“The first and foremost thing for a healthy bladder is, don’t smoke,” advises Dr. Arjun Balar. “I think that’s an obvious suggestion for a number of reasons. But if we can eliminate cancer risks that are related to smoking, that’s probably the most important thing you can do.”
Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that it contains over 7,000 chemicals, with at least 70 known to cause cancer. While most often linked to lung cancer, smoking is also a major driver of other cancers, including bladder cancer.
Cigarette smoking is responsible for 80–90% of lung cancer deaths, and smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop or die from lung cancer than non-smokers. Even exposure to second-hand smoke significantly increases risk.
