Cancer Survivors Day: Tina Knowles, Wanda Sykes & Other Stars Who Won
June 13, 2026
National Cancer Survivors Day, observed on June 7, represents more than a date on the calendar. It serves as a potent reminder of the resilience required to hear the word cancer, endure treatment, confront fear, cope with side effects, bear the marks left behind, and still go on to live, work, create, and stand alongside the people who love you. The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation defines a survivor as anyone who has lived with a history of cancer, from the moment of diagnosis onward through life.
For Black communities, that conversation carries extra weight. Cancer can affect anyone, yet its impact is not distributed equally. The American Cancer Society notes that Black people experience some of the nation’s highest cancer death rates, Black women remain more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, and Black men face particularly elevated risks when it comes to prostate cancer.
That is why it matters when Black celebrities speak openly about cancer. Their journeys go beyond fame and survival; they can motivate people to book a screening, ask an extra question, learn their family health history, or stop brushing off a symptom they’ve been ignoring. Here are a group of Black celebrities who have publicly confronted cancer and, in diverse ways, used their stories to remind audiences that survival is within reach.
Black Celebrities Who Survived Cancer
1. Robin Roberts
The Good Morning America anchor is a breast cancer survivor who later faced myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare bone marrow disease, after her cancer treatment. By sharing her journey publicly, she helped bring major attention to bone marrow donation, especially for Black patients.
2. Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes disclosed in 2011 that doctors found ductal carcinoma in situ, an early form of breast cancer, after she had breast reduction surgery. Given her family history, she elected a double mastectomy and has remained vocal about the importance of early detection and valuing life.
3. Al Roker
The beloved Today Show weatherman announced in 2020 that he had prostate cancer and underwent surgery. Roker used the moment to stress the importance of screenings, especially for Black men, who are at higher risk.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been open about being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2008 and later revealing he had also faced prostate cancer. The NBA legend has tied his own health story to a broader conversation about the medical disparities Black people face.
5. Tina Knowles
Tina Knowles revealed that she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer after missing a mammogram during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has since said she is cancer-free and has used her platform to encourage women not to delay their screenings.
6. Matthew Knowles
Matthew Knowles, father of Beyoncé and Solange, publicly shared his breast cancer diagnosis in 2019 and revealed that he carries a BRCA2 gene mutation. His story was especially important because male breast cancer is often overlooked or stigmatized.
7. Vanessa Bell Calloway
Vanessa Bell Calloway was diagnosed with DCIS, also known as stage 0 breast cancer, at age 52. After surgery and treatment, she became a vocal survivor who has talked about not letting cancer steal her joy or stop her life.
8. Shanice
R&B singer Shanice revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer after avoiding mammograms for years because of a previous misdiagnosis. Her story became a reminder that fear and past medical trauma are real, but screenings can still save lives.
9. Ernie Hudson
The Ghostbusters actor has survived both prostate cancer and rectal cancer, crediting regular screenings with helping catch serious issues. Hudson has spoken about the complications he faced and the gratitude he feels after making it through.
10. Charlie Wilson
Before becoming “Uncle Charlie” to a new generation, Charlie Wilson survived addiction, homelessness and prostate cancer. He later became a national spokesman for prostate cancer awareness, using his voice to push men toward testing and treatment.
11. Angela Winbush
R&B singer and producer Angela Winbush battled stage 3 ovarian cancer in the early 2000s and beat it after chemotherapy. Her journey added another layer to the strength behind a career that already made her one of R&B’s most respected behind-the-scenes forces.
12. Eric Berry
Former NFL star Eric Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014, underwent chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free in 2015. He returned to the field and won Comeback Player of the Year, turning his fight into one of football’s most inspiring comeback stories.
13. James Conner
NFL running back James Conner was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma while he was still at Pitt. After treatment, he returned to football, made it to the NFL and became a living example of what fighting back can look like.
15. Dr. Jackie Walters
Dr. Jackie Walters of Married to Medicine is a two-time breast cancer survivor. As an OBGYN, she brings both personal experience and medical expertise to conversations about women’s health and early detection.
16. Bershan Shaw
Bershan Shaw, known for The Real Housewives of New York City and her motivational work, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and given a grim prognosis. She survived and built much of her public platform around the “warrior” mindset that helped her keep going.
Danielle Brooks
I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.
