but to Mrs. Shirley Humphreys, chairman of the cancer support group Just Between Us, and Mrs. Ann Dunstan, chairman of Equefest, it's a natural.

Specifically, the two women have joined forces not only to heighten awareness of breast cancer in the community, but also to further reduce the cost of the King Edward Hospital's mammography machine.

"Last year Equefest donated $33,500 -- half the proceeds of its two-day international show jumping event -- to the hospital for the mammography equipment,'' Mrs. Dunstan explained. "This year, we found we still hadn't reached the necessary target for this equipment to be duty-free to the hospital, which has put up its cost considerably, so we asked if we could raise the necessary money to meet rebate requirements.'' Equefest, a two-day international show jumping and dressage competition sponsored by the Bermuda National Equestrian Federation, will take place at the Botanical Gardens on November 28 and 29. In addition to local riders, four eminent foreign riders will compete. They are US Olympians Michael Matz and Lisa Jacquin; Canadian Mario des Lauriers, last year's Equefest champion who will be defending his title; and Gilles Bertrand de Bollanda, a member of the French equestrian team.

Competition events will include dressage and musical dressage as well as driving classes. In addition to the equestrian events, there will be aerobics displays and artworks by Masterworks and Picturesque.

Taking Equefest's interest in the fight against breast cancer a step further will be volunteers from Just Between Us, who will distribute educational material on the disease, including a waterproof self-examination guide for use in the shower, on both days the event is held.

Just Between Us was formed a year ago by Mrs. Humphreys to provide mutual support for breast cancer patients. Virtually all of its members have undergone surgery and related treatment.

Having undergone a partial mastectomy herself 18 years ago, Mrs. Humphreys knows only too well the value of moral support and counselling at such a traumatic time in a woman's life.

At the time of her surgery she was living in East Detroit, and during her hospital stay she hit rock bottom. So much so that a nurse asked her if she would like a visit from a representative of Reach to Recovery, a rehabilitation programme operated by the American Cancer Society for women recovering from breast surgery, and their families.

The representative left with Mrs. Humphreys a package containing literature, a length of cord and a soft ball -- both used for post-surgery exercises -- and a soft breast form to fill the empty side of her nightgown where once her breast had been.

From that and subsequent visits came not only enormous personal benefits but a lifelong desire to pass them on to others in the same situation. In time Mrs.

Humphreys became a fully qualified Reach to Recovery volunteer.

Returning to her native Bermuda to live, Mrs. Humphreys sought to continue her Reach to Recovery work here. Unsuccessful, she discussed her frustration with the US group, who suggested starting a local branch of the US-based Just Between Us support group.

"Just Between Us is part of the American Cancer Society, and now they're calling us their sister group abroad,'' she said proudly.

The seal on the US suggestion was set last year when Mrs. Humphreys attended a breast cancer lecture given by eminent mammography and oncology specialist, Dr. Mark Homer, at the Queen Elizabeth Nurses' Residence.

"At the meeting I stood up and said, `Does anyone wish to join a breast cancer support group sponsored by the American Cancer Society?' Thirty women signed up immediately it was over,'' the lively ex-patient said. Today, the group, which meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Mrs. Humphreys' home, has 50 members from all walks of life, and its numbers are growing steadily.

"It has grown because members here and abroad, and also King Edward Hospital, know about me,'' she said. "Women have been very grateful. Also, there are women who go away for their surgery and when they come back it helps to have a group like Just Between Us to turn to if they wish.'' Just Between Us provides an opportunity for women to share their feelings and concerns, get answers, and gain support from others with similar experiences whilst in the process of returning to their normal lifestyles.

There may be times when a woman has difficulty adjusting. She may suddenly feel alone and in need of reassurance and understanding from women who have had similar experiences, and this is where Just Between Us helps.

Mrs. Humphreys noted that each patient was different, and not all women needed the group's support all of the time. The choice of how often they attended, and for how long, was entirely theirs.

The chairman was also at pains to stress that the group was not a forum whereby women could criticise or compare their treatments, medication or even their doctors.

"I tell our members, `We are here to support you.' I feel if anybody came to our meetings and went away feeling worse then we should disband. I remind them that they cannot compare cases because each one is absolutely individual.'' Rather, members are offered emotional and psychological reinforcement, and reassurance. Educational and current research information is also shared.

To mark Breast Cancer Week (November 23-29) Just Between Us is inviting the women of Bermuda to attend a special forum at St. Paul's Christian Education Centre in Paget on November 24.

Moderated by Dr. William Cooke, speakers and their topics will be: Dr. Ian Harvey (Mammography and Breast Cancer), Dr. Marion Watlington (Medical Aspects of Breast Cancer), Dr. Terence Elliott (Surgical Aspects of Breast Cancer), Mrs. Janet Thomas-Gauntlett (Mammography facilities), and Mrs. Dorothy Morgan-Swan, Oncology Services Co-ordinator.

A panel discussion involving the audience will follow.

For further information on joining Just Between Us, contact Mrs. Humphreys at 236-3287. Membership is free.

TEAMWORK AT ITS BEST -- Chairman of Equefest, Mrs. Ann Dunstan (left) and chairman of Just Between Us, Mrs. Shirley Humphreys have joined forces to advance the fight against breast cancer.