The battle against breast cancer continues! So, too, does the fight to increase awareness of the life threatening disease and the need for early detection of not just this but all types of cancers.

The Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health Association's fourth annual Women's Health and Breast Cancer Awareness Month will be observed next month, beginning with a "Stepping Out'' 3K and 6K fun walk and culminating with a photographic essay from October 16-27 at City Hall of women who have died from breast cancer in Bermuda.

In between there will be other events designed to bring about more public awareness about breast cancer, including a Denim Day on October 6, Fashion Show and Tea on October 8, a live Breast Cancer TV Forum on Wednesday, October 18 and a memorial service on October 22 to celebrate survivors of breast cancer and to remember the women who have died from the disease in Bermuda.

The BF&M Insurance Group has been sponsoring Women's Health and Breast Cancer Awareness Month for four years, lending their support to a worthwhile cause.

"BF&M recognised a few years ago that one of the ways to contain health care costs is early detection of these diseases,'' said Judy Panchaud-White, Executive Vice President for Operations at BF&M.

"We started to look around at what organisations in Bermuda were quite active in this area and TB, Cancer stood out amongst all the others with their emphasis on health prevention and awareness.

"We've sponsored the Women's Health and Breast Cancer Awareness Month for four years and have enjoyed everyone of them. The breast cancer walk, in particular, has gone from strength to strength each year and we now have in the range of 600 to 800 walkers who come out.'' Breast cancer is mainly a women's issue, but seven men have been diagnosed with the disease in the 19-year period between 1980 and 1999.

"Women, and men as well, are becoming more aware of the need to have a mammogram and breast examination,'' said Mrs. Panchaud-White.

The insurance company has a newsletter called `healthmatters' which caters to health plan members. In the Fall 2000 issue, the risks for breast and ovarian cancer are explored.

The article stated that a person with a significant family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer has an increased risk of getting these cancers. You have a significant family history if: You have two or more close family members who have had breast and/or ovarian cancer, and The breast cancer in the family members has been found before the age of 50.

A close family member can be your mother, sister, mother's sister, father's sister or grandparents on either side.

"The purpose of the newsletter is to heighten the awareness that in order to improve your health you need to take action, to eat healthy and exercise,'' said Mrs. Panchaud-White.

"There's more to health insurance. Our role is to educate our clients to take an active role.'' Dorothy Morgan-Swan, Director of Public Relations and Education at the TB, Cancer and Health Association, says funds raised will go towards maintaining the services that the TB, Cancer and Health Association provides. Last year about $60,000 was raised to fund the cost of a bone densitometre to help diagnose osteoporosis, a bone crippling, potentially deadly disease especially prone in post-menopausal women.

Funds raised this year will go towards the association's most ambitious undertaking to date, a $3 million capital campaign to develop and build a cancer Resource Centre. Plans include moving to a new facility and property has been identified.

"Our financial goal this year is $100,000 and we want the funds to go towards the Cancer Resource Centre,'' said Mrs. Morgan-Swan.

Some 40 to 50 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, making it one of the highest rates per capita in this hemisphere.

"It seems to be happening more to younger women under the age of 40, 45 and that is a trend you will find in other countries, too,'' she stressed.

"We're looking into it genetically because we've found that younger women are related to one another...first cousins or sisters. Is it just a coincidence or is it some genetic mutation, known as BCRA I and II which increases your risk by 80 per cent, and that's pretty high.'' Added Mrs. Morgan-Swan: "The first mammograms are recommended between the ages of 35 and 40, unless they are higher at risk and then that needs to be discussed with their doctor.

"Obviously if their mother had breast cancer they might need to start having mammograms earlier but for the general population that's the age and then yearly after the age of 40.

"I try to go out and do workshops and teach women how to do breast self examinations, and that should be done every month. Obviously you can have a mammogram once a year and something can happen in the other 11 months so it (self examination) is very important.

"Statistics are really important, the Oncology department at the hospital is very important as they keep accurate statistics of all cancers.'' A Cancer Resource Centre would bring all the charities relating to that disease under one roof, though the Centre will not provide treatment or replace the valuable advice given by Bermudian and overseas physicians.

"If someone wants to find out about other resources like PALS, a support group for women or a male prostate support group we want to have it in one place,'' said Mrs. Morgan-Swan.

"Radiation is a common treatment but it can't be given here'' noted Mrs.

Panchaud-White.

Added Mrs. Morgan-Swan: "A radiation is very costly. Between 250 to 300 people are diagnosed with all types of cancer each year.'' October Activities Wednesday, October: "Stepping Out'' 3K/6K fun walk, starting at Barr's Bay Park during Harbour Night at 6.30 p.m. Rain date is October 11. The money raised through pledges will go towards the building of a the Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health Association's Cancer Resource Centre. Entertainment will follow at 7.15 p.m with draw at 7.30 for all registered walkers.

Friday, October 6: Breast Cancer Denim Day. A donation of $5 to wear denim at your workplace and at school $2 will be collected on the same day. Donations will support the Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health Association's Breast Health and Early Detection Breast Cancer programme. Contact Dorothy Morgan-Swan at 296-7288 to participate.

Sunday, October 8: Fashion Show and Tea. Fashion show will take place at St.

Paul's Christian Education Centre in Paget, followed by a tea. Event is hosted by the "Just Between Us'' Breast Cancer Support Group. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from "Just Between Us'' members or Marian Holland at 295-3051.

Wednesday, October 18: TV Forum on "Who is at risk for Breast/Ovarian Cancer?'' on ZFB/ZBM at 8 p.m. Guests will include Dr. Kevin Hughes, Director of Lahey Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic in Boston, and Dr. William McGregor, associate professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Medicine at the University of Louisville involved in Breast Cancer research.

Sunday, October 22: Memorial Service at 3.00 p.m. at thet Holy Trinity Cathedral in Hamilton in celebration of the survivors of breast cancer and a remembrance of women who have died from breast cancer in Bermuda.

October 16-27: "The Faces of Breast Cancer''. A photographic essay of women who have died from breast cancer in Bermuda will be on display at City Hall.

Family and friends submitted these photographs and inscriptions displayed in remembrance of their loved ones.