Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Shanice Wilson-Knox is opening up about her emotional cancer journey. On Sept. 8, the “I Love Your Smile” hitmaker took to Instagram where she revealed she underwent a double mastectomy three months ago after doctors found a “stage one centimeter tumor” in her breast.
In her video carousel, Shanice went into further detail about her scary diagnosis, noting that she had developed an early form of breast cancer commonly known as Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in her left breast. The condition occurs when cancer cells are restricted to the milk ducts within the breast and have not infiltrated the surrounding breast tissue, according to the Mayo Clinic. DCIS is also referred to as noninvasive, preinvasive, or stage 0 breast cancer.
According to health experts, DCIS is usually identified through a mammogram during regular breast cancer screenings or when examining a breast lump. Shanice confessed that she had previously avoided her yearly screenings due to fear. However, when she discovered a lump in her breast, she knew it was crucial to consult a doctor. After finding out that the tumor had grown to stage one cancer, the R&B star shared that she opted to have a double mastectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of both breasts, to reduce the chance of her tumor spreading.
“Thank God I caught it early,” Shanice, 51, added in the caption. “I wasn’t ready to talk about it then, but I’m strong enough to talk about it now… Please everyone get checked.. Thank you @yahsherbalistjharrellsims for helping me with your herbs @drleehealthtalk thank you for helping me get through this journey…Thank you to all my prayer warriors for keeping me lifted up in prayer.”
Shanice at the 2020 Soul Train Awards – Photo by Leon Bennett/STA 2020/Getty Images for BET)
Fans shower Shanice with love following double mastectomy news.
Fans and celebs poured into the comments section with love and words of support for the singer. R&B icon, Deborah Cox, penned, “You are so brave to share this personal story. Sending you love and light healing and restoration…..God is so good.”
A fan commented, “I am so happy that you are sharing your story, you WILL save lives with your testimony. I am so happy that it was caught in time. You are loved and cherished. Just reading this is bringing tears because when your friends go through life experiences it reminds you how much that person matters in your life. You are a warrior. You and the millions of women who fiercely take this battle. I love you @shaniceonline.”
The American Cancer Society reports that Black women face a 41% higher risk of dying from breast cancer compared to white women, even though they are diagnosed less frequently. Early screenings are increasingly important, as young Black women are now being diagnosed with breast cancer at higher rates. Specifically, Black women under 45 are more likely to develop the disease than their white peers in the same age group. Moreover, Black women under 50 are twice as likely to die from breast cancer compared to white women in that age bracket.
Shanice followed up with a sweet video thanking fans for their love and support on Sept. 10. Listen to what she had to say below.
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