Tina Knowles, mother of singers Beyoncé and Solange, has revealed she secretly battled stage 1 breast cancer after missing a routine mammogram during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 71-year-old fashion designer and businesswoman shared her diagnosis during an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings on Tuesday, April 22.
Knowles explained that she delayed rescheduling her missed appointment until 2023, when doctors discovered two tumours in her left breast.
“I’ve always tried to take care of myself. I just… was in disbelief,” she told King about receiving the cancer diagnosis in July 2023.
One of the tumours was benign, while the other was cancerous.
Doctors later informed Knowles that had she maintained her regular screening schedule, the cancer might have been detected at stage 0 instead of stage 1.
Stage 0 cancer is when the condition has not spread beyond the breast tissue, according to medical experts.
Despite the delayed screening, Knowles’s cancer was not spreading and was believed to be slow-growing.
“It’s important not to slack on your mammograms,” Knowles told People Magazine, explaining that she initially hesitated to share her diagnosis due to her private nature.
Knowles underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumour in August 2023 and is now cancer-free.
“I’m doing great,” she told People Magazine. “Cancer-free and incredibly blessed that God allowed me to find it early.”
Throughout her treatment, Knowles was supported by her daughters Beyoncé and Solange, along with other family members who “became my team.”
She revealed that she also had a breast reduction during her cancer treatment.
Following surgery, Knowles developed a post-surgical infection so severe she nearly cancelled her appearance at Glamour’s 2024 Women of the Year event in October.
Knowles described the emotional support her daughters provided during hospital visits.
“I was nervous,” she told King. “And so they started just joking with me.”
She recalled how Solange played a viral “demure” video from TikTok to lift her spirits.
“I start laughing. I get out of my head… Then I said, ‘I’m just so happy that y’all are here,'” Knowles shared.
The moment reminded her of the song “Walk With Me,” which her daughters used to sing.
Solange and Knowles’s niece Angie Beyincé sang the meaningful track before her operation.
“It’s about God walking with you into something and protecting you,” Knowles said through tears.
In her interview, Knowles emphasised the importance of regular cancer screenings for women.
“I think as women, sometimes we get so busy and we get so wrapped up and running around, but you must go get your test,” she told People Magazine.
She added: “Because if I had not gotten my test early, I mean, I shudder to think what could have happened to me.”
