Mathew Knowles, male breast cancer survivor and father of music superstar Beyoncé, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Breast Cancer Foundation Gala.
The Breast Cancer Foundation, in a statement Thursday, announced his attendance at the gala which will be held on Saturday, 7 Oct. at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
Beverly Edgington, of the Breast Cancer Foundation, said in a statement, “Mathew is the first male breast cancer survivor we have featured at the annual Gala, and we are honored for him to share his inspiring story.”
At this year’s gala, Knowles will be talking about breast cancer diagnosis, and the importance of early detection and testing.
“If you’re ahead of the curve, then your outcome will be, most of the time, great,” he said in the statement, adding “I’m a living example.”
According to the Breast Cancer Foundation, the first time Knowles spotted a pinprick-size red dot on his shirt, in July 2019, he didn’t think much of it nor the next day when he found another.
When it happened a third time though, he brought it up to his wife who also noticed similar spots on the bedsheets, and he then made an appointment with his doctor.
Knowles discovered that he had breast cancer, the same disease that claimed the lives of his mother, aunt, and great aunt.
“Knowles was lucky. He had caught his cancer early, when it was Stage 1A, meaning it was small and had not spread to the lymph nodes. He did not need chemotherapy, but he did need a mastectomy. After surgery, he also discovered that he had the BRCA2 gene mutation,” the Breast Cancer Foundation said.
Kim Lund, Breast Cancer Foundation founder and director, said breast cancer in males is a rare occurrence, with less than 1% of all breast cancer cases occurring in men.
“But as male breast cancer is often detected later, men see higher death rates than women across all stages of breast cancer,” Lund said.
“Most men think that breast cancer is a women’s disease,” added James Bovell, Breast Cancer Foundation founder and director.
He said education is key, “including understanding the risk factors such as age, certain inherited genetic mutations such as the BRCA2 gene, if breast or ovarian cancer is common in your family, and more.”
The statement noted, that Knowles stands as a pillar for corporate, entrepreneurial, and Black success “with over $5 billion generated across multiple industries, more than $100 million in sales and acquisitions, and the development, recording and distribution of some of culture’s most notable careers, such as Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, Solange, and many more”.
About Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles’ path to success is an inspiring and self-made story that started with humble beginnings.
“Growing up on a dirt road in Alabama during the heart of segregation, he attended all-white schools and was often the target of extreme racism and bullying from his classmates and even his educators and other authority figures. However, he was always guided forward by his entrepreneurial spirit, instilled in him by his parents, which fueled his dreams for massive achievement and impact,” his profile states.
His legacy and impact in the music industry continues to this day with his daughter, Beyoncé, who was recently named the most awarded artist in Grammy history.
Knowles is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and educator for organisations and conferences worldwide in the areas of sales, marketing, leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, mental health, wellness and much more.
His talks, conversations, and speeches with organisations and stages like TedX have been viewed millions of times online.
Related Videos
