October was yesterday proclaimed Breast Cancer Awareness Month by Minister of Health Walter Roban who called on women aged 40 and above to take the annual check-up and perform monthly self-exams.

"Mammography remains the best available method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer," Mr. Roban said at a press conference at City Hall. "It only takes a few minutes for women to be proactive about early detection. But the results can mean a lifetime of wellness."

According to the latest figures from the Bermuda National Tumour Registry, breast cancer was responsible for 75 out of 114 reported incidences of cancer among women last year.

It is responsible for one third of cancer diagnoses, and overall it is the third deadliest, comprising 14 percent of deaths by cancer for 2009.

Mr. Roban said: "Bermuda Cancer and Health Care Centre continues to offer digital mammography, while the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) will introduce the service this month."

He also pointed out: "Breast cancer also occurs in men, and men can carry the gene for it."

Deputy BHB CEO Venetta Symonds reaffirmed the importance of early detection and urged women to "be proactive, and recognise our power to prevent breast cancer".

She added: "The World Cancer Research Fund concludes that nearly 40 percent of all breast cancer cases could be prevented if women kept a healthy weight, drank less alcohol, exercised more and breastfed their babies."

Breast cancer survivor, Shawnette Outerbridge, 47, of the support group Just Between Us, said: "I was diagnosed the first time in April 2006, which I found by doing a self exam.

"I'd had just had my annual mammogram a few months prior and was taken aback when I was recalled for another mammogram and ultrasound.

"Initially I did not panic until it was confirmed by my doctor. It was a devastating experience. I had surgery for cancer in 2006 and was taking oral medicine and then I was re-diagnosed once again with Stage 1 breast cancer in 2009.

"I had to undergo several months of chemotherapy here in Bermuda, and I had radiation therapy overseas at the Lahey Clinic. The medical team who cared for me provided me with expert care and I've recovered in a short space of time.

"But as the Minister stated, taking five minutes out of your schedule to get a mammogram can save your life. I feel very fortunate to have gone in for a mammogram and gotten tested. If I hadn't been retested, it would have gone through to a later stage of cancer."

Mrs. Outerbridge's advice was for sufferers to "be positive, no matter how difficult, or how sick you become".

She also advised women to educate themselves about the illness and do everything their medical team told them.

She said: "During my time of receiving chemo, I was extremely sick; however I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel and that I looked forward to.

"I had a great support network, which included my husband, family, church family, dear friends and co-workers who travelled this journey with me. Today I'm still having treatment, but thanking God each day as I am still here and doing well."

The slogan for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is "A Few Minutes for a Lifetime".

Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association spokesperson Ashley DaCosta said women should consider this in terms of "ten minutes a month to complete a self breast exam, 30 minutes a year to have their annual mammogram and 60 minutes a year to take part in a fun walk to raise funds for the purchase of the latest diagnostic equipment".

The Breast Cancer Fun Walk, sponsored by BF&M, is being held on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Barr Bay Park, next to the BF&M building, on Pitts Bay Road.

For more information on this and other events this month, visit www.chc.bm.