March 2010 I was faced with one of the greatest challenges of my life. I was told that I had breast cancer. I was really stunned to see how surprised my doctor was about my positive test results. The doctor then explained to me the rarity of women my age developing breast cancer. I was a 32-year-old woman that had never suffered from health issues beyond the common cold. After the immediate shock faded and the tears dried up, I realized how lucky I was to have found it early.

I joke around with my close friends about how I touch myself, but it’s only in reference to self-breast examination. I was raised to be aware and comfortable with my body. Breast cancer took my aunts life 3 years ago at the young age of 42, so I have seen what not being in touch with yourself can do. Through this experience I have decided to start a movement that will explain to men and women under the age of 40 the importance of paying attention to their bodies. People should not feel ashamed or embarrassed about touching and feeling their bodies in order to examine themselves.

According to the American Cancer Society, there were 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,170 deaths from breast cancer in 2009. The “Touch Movement” is meant to make people stop and think, be more aware and have a better understanding about the importance of self-breast examination. Too often young people overlook the importance of self-breast examination. All it took was one touch for me to notice that I needed to seek help. Because of that one touch my cancer was detected early and I now have a chance to touch the lives of others.

There are numerous programs, support groups and organizations that support breast cancer. I am hoping to unite a group of people who can make a difference in this fight against breast cancer. My goal is to unite a group of people whose presence will make a difference, whose voices will be heard and whose faces will be recognized among men and women 40 and under. Through this movement a difference can be made one touch at a time…so please join me in an effort to end breast cancer.

LaTasha Harris