Joya Harris’ life was upended when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at the age of 34. As the executive director of the Breast Cancer Network of Strength’s Southeast Region Affiliate, the news came as a shock.
“It was a surreal experience, I couldn’t believe what was coming out of the doctor’s mouth. I knew that my breasts were a little lumpy from breast feeding, but cancer was the furthest thing from my mind,” Harris says.
Harris, the mother of two young children, knew that she had to remain strong and focus on getting well. Having a supportive family and friends ultimately gave Harris the energy and strength needed to fight for her life.
“I had an amazing support system that consisted of my children, who were supportive by just being children and loving me through the whole process; my fiancé — who is my rock; and [my] mother who stayed by my side; along with a host of friends,” she says.
The advanced stage of the disease required that Harris undergo an immediate mastectomy, followed by six months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. Harris was also prescribed Tamoxifen, a cancer medication that she has to take for the next five years.
After two years of being cancer-free Harris is using outlets such as the Young Survival Coalition to share her story and encourage others to be vigilant about their breast health.
“I’m a public health person, so before breast cancer I was big on prevention — and I’m even more so now after being diagnosed. I was working out, eating well and doing all the things I thought I should be doing but it still happened. I think African Americans need to be more proactive,” Harris says. –christian johnson
