Beyonce's dad, Mathew Knowles, reveals his family was tested for breast cancer after his diagnosis
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mathew Knowles, the father of Beyonce and Solange Knowles, revealed he has breast cancer.
In an interview with "Good Morning America" on Wednesday, the 67-year-old sat down with Michael Strahan to discuss his diagnosis, his treatment and the implications for his family.
He hopes speaking out will bring awareness that men can also be diagnosed and urge them to get tested. I'm hoping by me coming here today, speaking out, letting folks know that you can survive this. But it has to be early detection. And I can't overemphasize the word early," he said.
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Knowles revealed he underwent surgery at the end of July and is feeling "really good."
But he will continue with preventative measures. "I am going to get the second breast removed in January because I want to do anything I can to reduce the risk."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We use the words 'cancer-free,' but medically there's no such thing as 'cancer-free.' There's always a risk... my kids have a 50 to 70 percent chance of getting the BRCA mutation and breast cancer. That's male or female. We used to think this was only an issue for women, but this is male or female," he added.
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The music executive added that his family members were tested because they have higher risks of having the disease. "The first call was to my family, that was the very first call. Because this is genetics," Knowles said. "It also means my kids have a higher chance, a higher risk, even my grand kids have a higher risk. And they handled it like they should. They went and got the test."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer in men is rare. Only 1 in 1,000 men will ever be diagnosed and less than percent of all breast cancer cases develop in males though it is more common in older men.
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October is also breast cancer awareness month.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Knowles is most noted for managing Beyonce's early career as a part of the group Destiny’s Child until they broke up in 2006.
Beyonce Knowles (L) arrives at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards with her father and manager Mathew Knowles in Los Angeles. (AP)
He was married to their mother, Tina, for over thirty years but they divorced in 2011. Knowles then married Gena Avery in 2013.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He's also fathered two more children from different relationships.