Beyoncé's Dad Mathew Knowles Says He Looks at the World Differently after Being Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles opened up about his breast cancer diagnosis.

Music producer Mathew Knowles opened up to Michael Strahan on "Good Morning America" about his breast cancer diagnosis and how it changed his life.

Mathew revealed that his journey began with finding a small drop of blood on his white t-shirt. When it happened again, a worried Mathew went to his doctor, and it saved his life.

Since the faulty gene can be passed on, his children and even his grandchildren may be at risk.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS SAVED MATHEW KNOWLES' LIFE

Mathew, 67, who had had several losses in his family due to breast cancer - his mother’s sister and her two only daughters - was aware of the heightened risk.

His doctor performed tests which were inconclusive, but a mammogram revealed the lurking disease: breast cancer. He said:

“I immediately went to my doctor. It was very clear that I had breast cancer.”

MATHEW KNOWLES UNDERWENT A MASTECTOMY

In July 2019, Mathew had his breast removed, and is planning to remove the other in January 2020. He explained:

“I want to do anything I can to reduce the risk. We use the words ‘cancer-free,’ but medically there’s no such thing as ‘cancer-free.’ There’s always a risk. My risk of a recurrence of breast cancer is less than 5 percent, and the removal of the other breast reduces it down to about 2 percent.”

MALE BREAST CANCER: RARE BUT REAL

Mathew hopes to raise awareness in men for the early detection of male breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there are approximately 2,600 cases of male breast cancer a year - a low rate compared to the 1 in 8 cases in women, but nonetheless real, and deadly

HOW MATHEW KNOWLES DIAGNOSIS AFFECTS HIS FAMILY

Mathew admits that his diagnosis changed his attitude towards his health, and made him more aware of the need to live a healthier lifestyle.

His greatest worry is his family. Mathew learned that the results of his BRCA genetic survey showed a mutation on his BRCA2 gene, which puts him at risk for prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer.

His first call after his diagnosis was to his family, and he has alerted them that since the faulty gene can be passed on, his children and even his grandchildren may be at risk.

But Mathew's outlook is positive, and he encourages men to be aware of their own bodies and reminds them that early diagnosis is the key to beating cancer.