“It Looks Just Like You” is a public service announcement (PSA) that was born out of my own personal experience. A few years ago, my cousin, Shari, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was completely overwhelmed and shocked, not only because someone close to me was being affected by a disease I knew very little about, but also because my cousin did not fit the 'traditional' profile of women I saw in the leading breast cancer awareness campaigns (40 and older, suburban, largely middle class, and white).

Witnessing my cousin grapple with the disease taught me that the “face” of breast cancer is also urban, under 40 (especially African American women who are encouraged to begin getting tested at 35 – Shari was 37 at the time), working class and poor. Shari’s courageous battle against the disease motivated me to want to make more women, particularly African American women, aware of their risk.

My goal is to add to the growing fight against breast cancer by expanding the “face” of the disease.

- Monique N. Matthews
Writer/Director

We are happy to report that Shari’s cancer is in remission. She is currently engaged and plans to marry in 2007.