Beyonce's Father Mathew Knowles Wants to Help Save Lives after Surviving Breast Cancer

Beyonce's father, Mathew Knowles, reveals that having survived breast cancer, he wants to help other people and save as many lives as possible by continually raising awareness for breast cancer.

No one likes being sick. It can be frustrating having to withdraw from normal activities to nurse one's health back to normal. However, some illnesses cause a rude awakening to those who have them.

Beyonce's father, Mathew Knowles, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, reveals that he wants to help people and save lives by continually raising awareness for breast cancer, especially in men.

In a chat with "People," Knowles revealed that when he first noticed pinprick sized red dots on his shirt, he did not pay attention to it. However, by the time it happened the third time, he had to visit his doctor.

After doing a series of tests and confirming it was indeed breast cancer, he was in disbelief. He added that he was among a lucky few who detected it early as his cancer was still at Stage 1. He admitted that:

"If you're ahead of the curve, then your outcome will be, most of the time, great. I'm a living example."

Although he had to get a mastectomy, he did not need chemotherapy, and breaking the news to his wife Gena was the hardest part for him.

Knowles added that Gena had lost a sister at the time, and he felt telling her was going to make her sad. He, however, revealed the news to her, and she was supportive through it all.

He did not tell his daughters, Beyonce and Solange, about his cancer diagnosis.

Interestingly, Knowles made another shocking discovery when he had to do a series of tests. He stated the tests revealed that he had a gene mutation that exposed him to other forms of cancer such as melanoma, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.

Like his diagnosis, this was shocking, but he was grateful that he was armed with the information as it helped him become better prepared. This experience caused him to have an epiphany, which prompted him to start the awareness of breast cancer in men. He said:

"I want to save lives, especially in the Black community."

Knowles mentioned that men are less likely to get checked for breast cancer, and they are often at risk. His emphasis on the Black community stems from the fact that Black men were diagnosed with breast cancer at a 52 percent higher rate than their white counterparts.

Knowles who served as the manager of "Destiny Child" and worked as Beyonce's manager until 2011 revealed that he did not tell his daughters, Beyonce and Solange, about his cancer diagnosis until after the surgery as he did not want them to panic.

In a chat with Michael Strahan of "Good Morning America," Knowles stated that men often felt embarrassed to talk about their breast cancer diagnosis, and there was no reason to be embarrassed by it.

While breast cancer in men presents similar symptoms with that of women, it is often ignored until it becomes lethal. This is what Knowles wants to correct by creating awareness and preaching early detection.