90s R’n’B singer Shanice, 51, diagnosed with breast cancer after skipping mammograms for 8 years
’90s R’n’B singer Shanice has revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer this year after skipping mammograms for eight years.
The I Love Your Smile hitmaker, 51, first revealed her stage one cancer diagnosis in September, explaining how she had a double mastectomy where a 1cm tumor was found in her breast.
Appearing on Good Morning America this week, the star said doctors first suspected she had a tumor in her breast eight years ago – it later turned out to be a cyst, but fear of mammograms kept her from getting the checkups.
She expressed her regret over the decision, saying: “If I had gone earlier, I could have caught it at stage zero.
‘Put that fear aside. If you get checked early, you can beat this thing. It’s not a death sentence. If you can get there early, you will live.”
’90s R’n’B singer Shanice has revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer this year after skipping mammograms for eight years
The pop star, 51, is best known for her 1991 hit I Love Your Smile
She underwent screening in March after finding a lump in her breast. Doctors initially thought she had stage zero ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a form of breast cancer that affects the milk ducts.
She underwent a double mastectomy in May, during which doctors discovered the tumor in her breast.
She said: ‘When I had the operation and they told me I had cancer I literally lost my smile. But I wanted to come on the show to encourage women that you have to keep smiling. I have my smile back.’
In September, Shanice shared a post from the hospital announcing her diagnosis, writing, “Happy Sunday everyone… God is a healer. So 3 months I had a double mastectomy. I had a one centimeter tumor in my breast. Thank God I caught it early…I wasn’t ready to talk about it then but I’m strong enough to talk about it now..
‘Please get checked.. Thank you @yahsherbalistjharrellsims for helping me with your herbs @drleehealthtalk thank you for helping me through this journey.. Thank you to all my prayer warriors who have kept me in prayer.. Thank you @phildfish for sharing of your mother’s testimony…
“Thank you to my friends and family for your support and prayers. Thank you @flexaforeal for helping me get through the hardest time of my life..
“You helped me with my drain every day and cooked all my meals.. I love you.. I am healed and restored in Jesus name.. Thank you @therealdrjackie for my gift basket… @frostchild Thank you for being with me went to my doctor appointment.. I also believe in God for your healing.. @toyialjackson @donyelledenise8 I believe in God for your healing.. I love you all..’
She added, “I am healed and restored in Jesus name.”
The I Love Your Smile hitmaker, 51, first revealed her stage one cancer diagnosis in September, explaining how she had a double mastectomy where a 1cm tumor was found in her breast
Appearing on Good Morning America this week, the star said doctors first suspected she had a tumor in her breast eight years ago – it later turned out to be a cyst, but fear of mammograms kept her from getting the checkups
Shanice broke onto the music scene in 1987 and released her first album Discovery at the age of 14.
The star, whose full name is Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox, was popular with fans and had two top 10 R&B hits from the album as a result.
Shanice achieved further success with the songs Silent Prayer, Saving Forever for You and When I Close My Eyes after signing with Motown Records in 1991.
The star was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but later moved to LA with her mother Crystal and aunt Penni.
They made the move because her mother and aunt hoped to pursue a music career there.
But Shanice was the one who actually made the transition to singing and pop music, encouraged by her family members.
When she was eight, she was in a KFC advert with Ella Fitzgerald, and later appeared on Star Search at the age of 11.
The star has been married to actor and comedian Flex Alexander for 24 years, after they tied the knot in February 2000
The singer’s voice has been used on several film soundtracks, including Pocahontas and The Meteor Man.
She also did backing vocals for Toni Braxton on her song Un-Break My Heart.
The star has been married to actor and comedian Flex Alexander for 24 years, after they tied the knot in February 2000.
They are the parents of Imani Knox, 23, and Elijah Alexander Knox, 20.