October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when pink ribbons appear everywhere, and conversations about screening, early detection, and treatment gain the spotlight. But behind every statistic are real women and men who sat in waiting rooms waiting for results.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one out of every eight women in the United States will receive a breast cancer diagnosis during her lifetime. In 2026, it is estimated that 382,640 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Men are not exempt. Around 2,670 men are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.
For Black families, conversations about breast cancer can carry a heavy weight, and it does not look the same for everyone. Chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer.
While the pink ribbon symbolizes hope and solidarity, it also highlights the stark disparities Black women face in the fight against breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. Among women under 50, the mortality rate is twice as high. That is why it matters when public figures speak openly about their diagnoses, replacing silence and fear with information, visibility, and community. This year’s theme is “Every story is unique, every journey matters.”
Over the years, several Black celebrities and public figures have stared cancer in the face, overcome the odds, and emerged victorious in their battle. These seven Black celebrities have opened up about their breast cancer journeys. Their stories are different, but they share one important message: cancer is not always a death sentence.
Wanda Sykes
Photo credit: Facebook / Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes has made millions of people laugh, but in 2011, the comedian found herself facing a very different kind of story. She was diagnosed with early-stage ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Doctors found the cancer after she had breast reduction surgery. Because of her family history of breast cancer, Sykes chose to undergo a double mastectomy.
More than a decade later, she continues to use her platform to encourage conversations about breast health and early detection. In 2025, she appeared in a breast cancer awareness campaign encouraging women to attend screening appointments.
Tina Knowles
In 2024, the mother of Beyoncé and Solange was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer when doctors discovered two tumors, one of them benign, during a delayed mammogram. She had missed her routine screening during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she was told that regular screening might have caught the cancer at stage 0. She underwent surgery and was later described as cancer-free.
When she eventually decided to share her experience publicly, Knowles said she hoped other women would learn from it. Her story is a powerful reminder that even people who seem to have everything together can find themselves confronting unexpected health challenges.
Read also: The Silent Signs Of Breast Cancer Too Many Black Women Overlook
Robin Roberts
Photo credit: Robin Roberts
The beloved Good Morning America anchor was first diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2007, following a routine mammogram that detected an abnormality. After the mammogram, further tests, including a biopsy, confirmed the presence of cancer.
Robin faced her illness with courage and resilience, turning tragedy into inspiration. She allowed the world to watch as she bravely underwent surgery before going on to complete chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
She beat it, only to face a rare blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome five years later. Thanks to a bone marrow transplant from her sister, she overcame both battles and became a symbol of resilience.
Robin has been using her platform to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection. Her story has become a lesson in itself, a reminder that early diagnosis can make all the difference. Her advice about knowing your body is particularly powerful because she found her own lump.
“I detected my own lump. My mother used to say, “We’re lumpy people,” and it was true, but I knew this lump was different because I checked myself so often. I moved up my doctor’s appointment, and I’m glad I did.
“There was no family history, but I knew something was off. Everyone, men and women, should know their own bodies. When you get older, it’s humbling to look at yourself, but it’s also a blessing. Our bodies are incredible. They get us through the hardest times. Respect your body by getting to know it. Nobody will know it better than you,” she noted.
Richard Roundtree
The late Richard Roundtree, best known for playing the legendary private detective John Shaft, was another Black celebrity who helped challenge the idea that breast cancer only affects women. He discovered a lump while filming in Costa Rica in 1993 and was diagnosed with a male form of breast cancer. He underwent a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. For years, he kept his diagnosis private before eventually going public as a survivor. Roundtree decided to speak publicly about his experience to raise awareness and help other men facing the same diagnosis. He spent years advocating for male breast cancer awareness before his death in 2023. He died after a later battle with pancreatic cancer, but his legacy as a breast cancer survivor and advocate remains part of his story.
His story demonstrates that not only can Black men get cancer, but they can survive it.
Read also: It’s Not Just Women, Men Get Breast Cancer Too, And Here’s What You Need To Know
Bershan Shaw
Photo credit: Facebook / Bershan Shaw
Known for her appearance on The Real Housewives of New York City, the entrepreneur, author, and television personality was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in 2007 at just 33. She faced another diagnosis in 2009, this time with stage 4 breast cancer.
She has spoken about being given a devastating prognosis and initially being told she had only three months to live. Bershan conquered breast cancer on two occasions. She continues to describe herself as a survivor and has made advocacy part of her life’s work.
Today, at 52, Bershan continues to thrive and inspire others, not only through her personal story but through her commitment to empowering other women to take charge of their health and their lives.
Mathew Knowles
Breast cancer is not only a woman’s disease, and Beyoncé and Solange Knowles’ father and former manager has made sure people hear that. He publicly shared his breast cancer diagnosis in 2019. discovered he carried a BRCA2 gene mutation, which can increase the risk of breast and other cancers. He caught it early, had a mastectomy soon after, and has become an advocate for greater awareness of male breast cancer. He urges people to consider genetic testing, especially when there is a family history.
According to Knowles, “Knowing your BRCA status is crucial, regardless of gender, as it can aid in early detection and guide treatment decisions. Now, I undergo regular screenings to stay on top of my health.
“Many men try to hide their diagnosis out of shame, but they shouldn’t. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to know that they aren’t alone, and there are things they can do to be proactive about their care.”
Calypso Rose
Photo credit: Facebook / Calypso Rose
Long before she became an international symbol of Caribbean music, the Tobago-born calypso queen was already breaking barriers. She battled and beat breast cancer in 1996. She later survived stomach cancer in 1998 and experienced other major health challenges, including heart attacks. She is still performing. In July 2026, she received an honor in New York and shared the stage with soca star Machel Montano, performing from a wheelchair. Calypso Rose’s experience with breast cancer lights a path of hope and strength for survivors around the world. Her story proves that life after diagnosis can still be rich with joy, purpose, and possibility, no matter your age.
We also cannot forget the countless Black women and men whose names may never appear on a red carpet. Celebrities can open doors to conversations, but they are not the only people whose experiences deserve attention.
Across Black communities, survivors are raising children, returning to work, caring for families, starting businesses, supporting friends, and becoming advocates after cancer. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, their stories remind us that awareness is more than pink ribbons; it is education, early detection, support, and the celebration of everyday survivors whose strength lights the way. Their journeys show how knowledge, perseverance, and community can transform outcomes.
