Residents proved during Hurricane Gonzalo the benefits of early detection and preparing for adversity — and the same efforts should be made when it comes to our health.

This was the message from Margaret Fergusson, wife of Governor George Fergusson, after taking part in a charity walk to raise awareness about breast cancer.

“I was wondering as I was sorting through the mess that Tropical Storm Fay did to the inside of my office, why was the damage with Fay so much worse than with Gonzalo?” she said.

“As every Bermudian will tell you, we were caught on the hop with Fay, but we saw Gonzalo coming, recognised it for what it was and battened down.

“It didn’t stop the hurricane hitting us, but early detection gave us time to prepare. My message to all of us is very simple when it comes to breast cancer: early detection saves lives. When breast cancer is detected early, it can be completely cured. So prepare as well as you can.”

Experts recommend that from the age of 20, you carry out regular self-examinations, inform your doctor of any changes and have a clinical breast exam by a doctor at least every three years. This should increase to once a year when you reach 40, as well as an annual mammogram.

“The statistics speak for themselves — one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Bermuda,” Mrs Fergusson said. “But when detected early, 98 per cent of patients survive over five years.”

Mrs Fergusson took part in Monday’s BF&M Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, hosted as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The event was one of several designed to increase awareness about the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.