Reaching Milestones After Cancer
- Known as the “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight’s decades-long career includes iconic hits, major awards, personal loss, and a 2018 early-stage breast cancer diagnosis.
- As an early-stage breast cancer survivor, she credits regular screenings for enabling early detection and successful treatment, allowing her to reach remission.
- Early-stage breast cancer means the tumor is small and hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes. According to Dr. Comen, the first step is usually surgery to remove the cancer. This may involve a lumpectomy, where only the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed, often followed by radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Breast oncologists stress that treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Factors like age, tumor size, family history, and personal preference may influence whether radiation is needed or if a patient chooses a more aggressive approach, such as a mastectomy—removal of the entire breast.
- After surgery, a pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to help determine the next steps in treatment.
In an Instagram post, the legendary singer said she’s ready to “ease into fewer performances” and focus on the next chapter of her life.
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Her journey hasn’t been without hardship. She lost her son in 1999 to heart failure, a loss she once described as devastating. Then in 2018, she revealed she had faced early‑stage breast cancer.
After announcing her step back from touring, fans flooded her comments with love and gratitude. One Instagram user wrote, “You deserve this season of rest and reflection upon an unparalleled career.”
Kelly Rowland, a member of Destiny’s Child and decorated R&B singer in her own right, told Knight, “You have given us your ALL. Thank you a million times over! I love you, Ms. Gladys”
Knight closed her message with heartfelt thanks: “I’d like to take a moment, in advance, to thank all my fans over this last three-quarters of a century for making a little girl’s dream come true.”
Expert Resources for Breast Cancer Patients
Understanding Gladys’ Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Gladys Knight was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, an early and highly treatable form of the disease. While details of her treatment journey remain private, stage 1 breast cancer typically presents as a small tumor confined to the breast, with no lymph node involvement.
One aspect of Knight’s remarkable career is her battle with breast cancer. She was friends with the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, who died in 2018 from advanced pancreatic cancer, CBS News reports.
Around the time of Franklin’s passing, Knight shared that they both were cancer survivors.
“Aretha and I discussed both of us having cancer; mine was stage 1 breast cancer, and hers was pancreatic,” Knight told US Magazine.
Standard treatment for this early stage often includes surgery to remove the cancer, with the possibility of radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence further. The surgical approach may involve either a lumpectomy, which removes the tumor while preserving most of the breast, or a mastectomy, which involves the removal of one or both breasts as a preventive measure.
Knight’s resilience and strength are a powerful reminder that early detection can lead to successful outcomes, reinforcing the importance of routine screenings and proactive health decisions.
Breast Cancer Surgery
A lumpectomy is a surgery to remove cancerous or abnormal tissue from the breast. It’s also known as breast-conserving surgery because, unlike mastectomy, only the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue are removed.
WATCH: Choosing between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy.
During a mastectomy, the breast is removed. In a double mastectomy, both breasts are removed. In many cases, women choose to undergo breast reconstruction.
Reconstruction gives women the chance to have implants put in right after the mastectomy procedure. However, some women choose not to have reconstruction at all.
Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, told SurvivorNet that most women do opt to have some reconstruction. Depending on what sort of surgery a woman chooses, the time spent in surgery can vary greatly.
There are many different options and techniques available for reconstruction — from implants to using a woman’s own tissue — and choices about when to get the reconstruction, meaning immediate (at the time of mastectomy) or delayed (which could be months or even years later).
WATCH: Deciding to get saline or silicone implants during a breast reconstruction.
Immediate reconstruction can produce better results than delayed reconstruction, resulting in fewer surgeries. However, it may require a more extended initial hospitalization and recovery time. This long surgery may also have a higher risk of complications, such as infections, than two separate surgeries.
It may be worth noting that “Delayed reconstruction has fewer complications than immediate reconstruction,” Dr. Terry Myckatyn, a plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction, told SurvivorNet.
When implants are used, the procedure can take two to three hours (so the total surgery time would be around five hours). During reconstruction, one can also take one’s own tissue (usually from the belly area) and transfer it into the breast area.
After breast cancer surgery, women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer may also need chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
Navigating the Emotional Journey of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and it’s completely natural for emotions to fluctuate throughout the process. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains that emotional responses can shift from day to day, sometimes bringing unexpected waves of stress or uncertainty.
“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid,” Dr. Plutchik says. “You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support—whether that’s a therapist, friends, family, or both—to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions.”
If your emotional well-being begins to feel significantly impacted, seeking mental health support may be beneficial. Options for care include traditional talk therapy, medication, lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet modifications, joining a support group, or other personalized approaches.
Here are a few ways to help manage the emotional toll of a breast cancer diagnosis:
- Lean on loved ones. Open up to your family and close friends, allowing them to step in and offer support. Many cancer survivors express a strong need for assistance but struggle to ask for help—encourage those around you to offer practical aid, whether it’s meals, transportation, or simply a listening ear.
- Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts and emotions can be a powerful way to process feelings. A journal provides a safe space to express yourself and reflect on your journey.
- Join a cancer support group. Local and online groups offer an opportunity to connect with others who are facing similar experiences. Learning from others and sharing your story can provide comfort and strength on difficult days.
- Consider therapy. Speaking with a mental health professional can help you navigate fears and concerns in a safe, supportive environment. Sometimes, vocalizing emotions rather than keeping them inside makes a meaningful difference in coping with stress.
While the path may feel uncertain, finding the right support system and coping strategies can make a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being. Breast cancer is a challenge, but you are not alone—and healing happens in many ways beyond the physical.
When to Screen for Breast Cancer
The medical community has a broad consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should now start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.
WATCH: Mammograms are still the best tool for detecting breast cancer.
Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.
Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
Regular Self-Exams Are Helpful In Between Mammograms
A self-breast exam is an easy way to monitor your breasts for abnormalities. It involves feeling the breast for swelling, bulging, or changes in the shape of the breast or nipple.
WATCH: How to perform a self-exam.
Checking for signs of redness, rashes, or discharge is also part of this exam. If anything is found that is concerning, you should contact your doctor. It’s important to note that self-exams should be done with regular mammograms.
Learning More About Genetic Testing
Genetic testing for cancer is typically conducted in a medical setting, such as a primary care office or an OB-GYN clinic. However, some tests are now available for direct purchase, allowing individuals to explore their genetic risk independently.
Initially, genetic testing was recommended for a limited group of individuals based on specific risk factors, including a strong family history of breast cancer, personal cancer history, or certain ethnic backgrounds.
WATCH: Helping you understand genetic testing.
“It started out with a very narrow field of women and men who were recommended to have it based on certain risk factors, family history of breast cancer, or other cancers, and also ethnic backgrounds,” explains Dr. Port.
Guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) suggest that genetic testing should be prioritized for patients at higher risk for hereditary breast cancer. This includes individuals diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 45, those with a strong familial history of the disease, and individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
Meanwhile, the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) takes a broader approach, recommending genetic testing for all patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
These evolving recommendations reflect a growing emphasis on personalized medicine, ensuring that individuals at risk receive appropriate screening and guidance to manage their health proactively.
What If You Have the BRCA Gene Mutation?
Discovering a genetic mutation can be unsettling, but there are several options available to manage cancer risk effectively. These include enhanced screenings for early detection, prophylactic (risk-reducing) surgery to remove high-risk tissue, and chemoprevention—the use of medications designed to lower the chances of developing cancer.
Interestingly, for individuals diagnosed with ovarian cancer, carrying a BRCA mutation may provide a treatment advantage when paired with a class of drugs known as PARP inhibitors. Approved by the FDA starting in 2014, these targeted therapies have transformed the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment.
WATCH: Understanding the BRCA Gene Mutation
PARP inhibitors function by blocking the protein PARP, which normally repairs damaged DNA. By preventing this repair process, the inhibitors selectively destroy cancerous cells while sparing healthy ones, making them a powerful treatment tool.
“The PARP inhibitor prevents the repair of the [damaged] single-strand DNA break, and your BRCA mutation prevents the repair of the double-strand DNA break,” explains Dr. Rebecca Arend, Associate Scientist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, in an interview with SurvivorNet.
This combination of genetic insight and advanced medical therapies highlights how precision medicine continues to evolve, offering more effective, tailored approaches to cancer prevention and treatment.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about how to keep your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation:
- What treatment will I be receiving?
- What side effects are associated with this treatment?
- Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
- What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
- Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
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