Diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 1986, Kathy LaTour underwent a modified radical mastectomy and chemotherapy for one malignant lymph node. Since her diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 37, Kathy LaTour has been active in the survivor community in Dallas and nationally.

A writer and editor for more than 25 years, she is currently a senior lecturer and an award-winning faculty member in Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Southern Methodist University where she teaches strategic writing courses and oversees the nonprofit emphasis. She has also taught International Public Relations and Editorial and Critical Writing. Additionally, she serves as Consulting Senior Editor for CURE: Cancer, Updates, Research & Education, a national quarterly magazine serving the informed cancer patient.

Kathy received the 2002 Katie Award for "Body of Work, Magazine" and second place from the 2002 American Cancer Society Texas Media Awards for Best Feature, "Lost in the Fog." In April 1997 she received the university's "M" award, the highest award given to faculty/staff at SMU. Throughout her journalism career, Kathy LaTour has published more than 50 feature articles in newspapers and magazines from The Dallas Morning News to The National Observer.

In October 1993, William Morrow and Co. in New York published her book The Breast Cancer Companion, which is based on interviews with more than 120 women and 75 men and health care professionals and has received excellent reviews. The paperback edition, published by Avon Books, continues to sell in bookstores across the nation.

In 1999, Kathy served as president of the board of Gilda's Club North Texas, a free meeting place for persons with any type of cancer and their families and friends that offers networking, information and community support. Kathy was also instrumental in founding The Bridge Breast Center in Dallas, a unique coalition of breast cancer survivors and area health care professionals who are providing diagnosis and treatment to uninsured women who may have breast cancer. She served as president of The Bridge, which is a national model, from its inception in March 1992 until June 1994.

Kathy also served for four years on the board of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship as chair of the communications committee. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship is an organization based in Washington, D.C. whose goal is to educate and advocate for cancer survivors nationwide.

In these capacities Kathy speaks nationally about a variety of issues related to breast cancer and survivorship for both the survivor and health care community.

Since the publication of her book she has spoken in more than 30 cities in the United States and Canada. She delivered the Charlotte Johnson Barrett Lectureship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, the first lay person to ever deliver this address. She keynoted the Edmonton, Alberta, Women Living With Cancer Forum, and later returned to Vancouver, British Columbia, where she spoke to 1,600 participants as keynote speaker for Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation breast cancer awareness day.