Singer Beyoncé and Solange’s mother Tina Knowles revealed she secretly fought stage 1 breast cancer after lacking regular mammograms during 19cid-19.
The 71-year-old fashion designer and businesswoman shared her diagnosis in an interview with Gayle King on Tuesday, April 22 on CBS morning.
Knowles explained that she delayed rescheduling her appointment until 2023, when doctors found two tumors in their left breast.
“I’ve been trying to take care of myself. I’m just…unbelievable,” she told Kim to be diagnosed with cancer in July 2023.
One of these tumors is benign, while the other is cancerous.
The doctor later told Knowles that if she maintained a regular screening schedule, the cancer might have been found in phase 0 rather than phase 1.
According to medical experts, cancer in stage 0 is when the disease does not spread outside the breast tissue.
Despite delayed screening, Knowles’ cancer did not spread and was considered to have slow growth.
Knowles told People, explaining that she initially hesitated to share diagnosis due to personal nature, which is important. ”
Knowledge performed a tumor resection in August 2023 to remove the tumor and now there is no cancer.
“I did a great job,” she told People. “No cancer and incredible blessings, God allowed me to find it as early as possible.”
Throughout her treatment, Knowles was supported by her daughters Beyoncé and Solange, as well as other family members who “become my team.”
She revealed that her breasts will also decrease during cancer treatment.
After the operation, Knowles had a postoperative infection, so severe that she almost canceled her appearance at the 2024 Women’s Event in October.
Knowles described the emotional support her daughter provided during her hospital visit.
“I’m nervous,” she told King. “So they started joking with me.”
She recalls how Solange played a viral “pervert” video from Tiktok to cheer her up.
“I started laughing. I got rid of my head…and I said, ‘I’m glad you’re all here.'” Knowles shared.
That moment reminded her of the song “Walk With Me” her daughter once sang.
Angie Beyincé, the niece of Solange and Knowles, sang meaningful repertoire before the operation.
Knowles said through tears: “It’s about God walking into things with you and protecting you.”
Knowles stressed the importance of regular cancer in women in an interview.
“I think, as women, sometimes we get so busy, we get so tangled and running around, but you have to take the exam.”
She added: “Because if I hadn’t had the exam early, I mean, I was trembling and thinking about what might have happened.”
