Exploring a career as a fashion designer, philanthropist, and businesswoman, Tina Knowles solidified herself as a top name in the fashion industry. She also happened to be the mother of Solange Knowles and Beyoncé. Once married to Matthew Knowles, Tina watched as her husband became the manager of Destiny’s Child. Eventually divorcing, Tina encouraged her daughters to pursue their passions. But recently, the fashion designer revealed her struggles with breast cancer after she missed a routine mammogram.
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Releasing her new memoir Matriarch, Tine opened up about how she fought Stage 1 breast cancer last July. Recalling how the doctors discovered the cancer in her left breast, she said, “I forgot that I didn’t go to get my test two years before I thought I had——they called me and canceled me and they said, we’ll call you when we start testing again. And I just thought I had done it. So you cannot play around with that.” Knowing the dangers of skipping a routine screening, Tina declared, “It’s important not to slack on your mammograms.”
As for her new book, Tina also struggled with the idea of writing about her breast cancer fight. But in the end, she hoped to use the story to help others. “I decided to share it because I think it’s a lot of lessons in it for other women. And 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. Because if I had not gotten my test early, I mean, I shudder to think what could have happened to me.”
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Tina Knowles Remembered How Daughters Reacted To Breast Cancer News
Not holding back, Tina even wrote about how her daughters took the news when she told them. When it came to Beyoncé, she admitted the singer continuously stayed positive, looking for ways to combat the cancer. “I could already feel her mind racing, focusing on this as a task to tackle with precision.” As for Solange, she also showered Tine with love and support, telling her, “We are going to take care of this.”
Finding more than enough support from family and friends, Tina underwent surgery late last year to remove the tumor. With doctors getting rid of the tumor, she praised their efforts. “I’m doing great. Cancer-free and incredibly blessed that God allowed me to find it early.”
With Tina using her story as a teachable moment, she concluded, “I want to show people you can go through that and still be fly.”
(Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Disney)
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