Beyoncé and Solange Knowles’ father, Mathew Knowles recently revealed on Good Morning America that he had breast cancer, and is sharing his experience to help raise awareness.
You may recognize Mathew Knowles as Beyoncé and Solange’s father.
He is also a well-known music industry mogul who started out as the manager of Destiny’s Child.
On Wednesday, Mathew sat down for an interview with “Good Morning America” and revealed that he had been battling breast cancer.
While breast cancer is far more common in women, it isn’t impossible for it to be found in man. In fact, less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men.
“I had my [mastectomy] surgery the last week of July, and now I’m doing all the stuff for recovery,” he said.
“I got a mammogram and then it was very clear that I had breast cancer,” he explained , revealing the lead-up to his diagnosis.
“The first call was to my family. That was the very first call, because this is genetics,” he said.
“It also means that my kids have a higher chance, a higher risk.”
He explained that even his grandchildren are at risk of getting breast cancer.
“Even my grandkids have a higher risk,” he said . “They handled it like they should — they went on and got the test.”
Mathew revealed that he initially contacted his doctor after his wife spotted specks of blood on his white t-shirts and bedsheets.
“Of all the things I could get, why would I get this?” he said to “Good Morning America” host, Michael Strahan.
“From a man’s perspective, I’m thinking, ‘Why me?,'” he said.
He said that nowadays, however, he’s doing “really good” and credits his improved health to eliminating alcohol from his diet and exercising regularly.
“I just wanted to have a clean bill of health,” he continued.
He then urged other men who have suffered from male breast cancer to come forward to raise awareness .
“We don’t have enough men that come forward, that take the exam,” he said.
“Men want to keep it hidden because we feel embarrassed — and there’s no reason for that.”
Mathew also pointed out that statistically, black men are more likely to die of male breast cancer than white men.
According to a study by the National Cancer Data Base , “black men ages 18 to 64 had a 76% higher risk of dying from breast cancer than white men of the same age.”
“Folks know that you can survive this, but it has to be early detection,” he went on. “I can’t over emphasize the word early.”
“I learned that the numbers that we have for men on breast cancer are not adequate”.
“Because we don’t have enough men that come forward that take the exam.”
“I’m hoping by me coming here today, speaking out, letting folks know that you can survive this,” he said .
“But it has to be early detection,” he added.
Mathew’s story actually inspired “Good Morning America” host, Michael Strahan to get tested, especially since his own brother was treated for breast cancer in 2015 .
Mathew also revealed later to TMZ that he plans on having his second breast surgically removed in January.
This is a precautionary measure to ensure the cancer doesn’t return.
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Thankfully, come January, Mathew should be out of the woods.
And hopefully, because he came forward with his story — raising awareness, more men will get tested.
Let us know what you think of Mathew Knowles’ encounter with male breast cancer.
