‘Your Vocals Defy Time’ – At 81, Singer-songwriter Gladys Knight is Still Rocking the Stage Years After Beating Early-Stage Breast Cancer

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rev. Al Sharpton (@real_sharpton)

Knight’s impact extends beyond her own story—she currently shares the stage with fellow icons Stephanie Mills, 68, Chaka Khan, 72, and Patti LaBelle, 81.

LaBelle also has a personal connection to cancer. She dealt with the heartbreaking loss of her three sisters to colon, brain, and lung cancer, underscoring how deeply the disease touches even the brightest stars.

Knight’s recent tour proves her enduring power and passion, with fans in Las Vegas thrilled by her heartfelt rendition of Taste of Bitter Tears. Her unwavering spirit reminds audiences everywhere that survival is not just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about thriving beyond them.

Through her music, resilience, and determination, Gladys Knight continues to inspire generations, showing that even in the face of adversity, the soul’s light can shine ever brighter.

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 a cancer 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 or 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.

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?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.