Cancer is a word none of us ever want to hear, whether we’re regular everyday folks or super famous like a handful of our favorite celebrities. Unfortunately, for comedian Nephew Tommy, that was a word he not only heard, but it was one that he’d have to sadly experience.
Suggested Reading
The funny man was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May 2022, but thanks to his fast action, he was able to remove the disease from his body and recently celebrated being three years cancer-free on Monday (Aug. 25).
“For anybody that’s going through the struggle, I want you to know, man, don’t give up. Don’t quit believing. Don’t think that it’s a death sentence,” he wrote in a post to Instagram. “Don’t think that you can’t get past it, because you can. I am a true witness and a believer. All this happened because God decided to give me a little more time.”
Given the comedian’s good news, it made us curious to see which other Black celebs have fought a successful fight against the horrific disease — and some of the names truly surprised us. From civil rights legends to NBA stars, keep reading to find out which celebs whooped cancer’s butt!
Dwyane Wade
As we previously told you, in January, Dwyane Wade revealed he had a cancerous tumor on his kidneys and had to undergo surgery in December 2023. After the surgery, 40% of his left kidney was removed. Thankfully, the former NBA star is now cancer free and moving about in his new healing era!
Robin Roberts
In 2007, ABC’s Robin Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery and successfully kicked the disease out of her body. Sadly, just five years later, she would get hit with yet another cancer diagnosis, this time a type of MDS, or myelodyplastic syndromes, a rare form of blood cancer. However, she would emerge victorious once again thanks to a life-saving bone marrow transplant she received from her own sister.
Tina Knowles
Earlier this spring, Tina Knowles shared that in August 2024, doctors discovered two tumors in her left breast. While one was benign, the other was cancerous and she diagnosed with Stage 1 cancer. As a result, she decided to get a lumpectomy, commonly referred to as a partial mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery, which removes a breast tumor while preserving the breast itself. As of this article’s publishing, she’s cancer free and continuing to live her best “matriarch” life.
Mathew Knowles
In 2019, Mathew Knowles — father to Beyoncé and Solange Knowles — revealed on “Good Morning America” that he’d been diagnosed with breast cancer. In the interview, he said he first suspected something was up when he started seeing drops of blood pop up on his white shirts over the course of a few days. He would go on to receive a mastectomy and has been cancer-free ever since.
Shannon Sharpe
In 2022, NFL star Shannon Sharpe revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer years prior in 2016. At the time, he only told his two siblings and his then-girlfriend as he didn’t want the rest of his family to worry given the fact that cancer runs in their bloodline. As far as treatment goes, he opted for a “less invasive” option that saw him getting his blood drawn “for every every six months for two years and I’ve been in remission ever since,” he said in a episode of his “Nightcap” podcast in January.
Roxanne Shante
In 2009, rapper Roxanne Shante found a lump in her breast and decided against going to get it checked out by a doctor initially. After dropping over 30 pounds, she went in for a mammogram but then avoided calls and emails from her doctors. Ultimately, she answered the phone and learned of her breast cancer diagnosis and sought treatment. She’s been cancer-free ever since.
Nelson Mandela**
In 2001, it was revealed that former South African president and humanitarian Nelson Mandela was diagnosed with prostate cancer. As a result, he underwent seven weeks of radiotherapy, no surgery or chemo necessary and was able to get rid of the disease. Sadly, years later around 2011-2012, Mandela would be hit again with the disease, this time in his lungs. He would sadly succumb to it in 2013.
Sidney Poitier**
In 1993, legendary actor Sidney Poitier was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After having surgery, he lived a long life without the disease in his body and was reportedly cancer-free. However, by the time he passed away in January 2022, his official cause of death was due to a combination of dementia, heart failure and prostate cancer.
Wanda Sykes
For comedian Wanda Sykes, her cancer diagnosis came in 2011 when an elective breast reduction surgery revealed she had Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a stage-zero cancer where cells are confined to the milk ducts. To combat the disease, she chose to have a double mastectomy given her family’s history with breast cancer. She’s been living cancer-free since then!
Vanessa Bell Calloway
Vanessa Bell Calloway was 52, she discovered she had DCIS (similar to Sykes) during a routine mammogram. As a result, she decided to get a a lumpectomy, mastectomy, and breast reconstruction and she’s been a survivor for nearly 20 years.
Al Roker
In 2020, popular TV anchor Al Roker shared on-air that he’d been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Intially calling it a “good-news, bad-news” situation, at the time he revealed that his doctors caught it early but it was already a bit aggressive. Because of that, Roker underwent a five-hour surgery which saw his prostate, some surrounding tissue and lymph nodes removed. He’s been cancer-free ever since.
Harry Belafonte
In 1996, civil rights activist and actor Harry Belafonte was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Just one year later, after undergoing a prostatectomy and healing from the disease, he said he was feeling “very fantastic” and became an advocate for others suffering from the same illness. Belafonte would go on to live a long life, passing away in 2023 from congestive heart failure.
James Brown
Like Belafonte, in 2004, the “Godfather of Soul” was hit with a prostate cancer diagnosis. He acted quickly and underwent surgery shortly afterwards. His downtime was about three weeks and he was back on his feet, cancer completely gone. Brown would go on living for another two years before passing away from pneumonia in 2006.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
