 The island's chief medical officer, Dr. Sharon Belma George, in a recorded press statement said that in St. Lucia breast cancer is the number one cause of death in women and also the main cause of premature death in women. Most of these diagnoses she added are made in women from the age group 45 to 55 years. The risk of breast cancer according to Dr. Belma George is increased with several factors such as increasing age, obesity, harmful use of alcohol, family history of breast cancer, history of radiation exposure, reproductive history, tobacco use, and post-menopausal hormone therapy. Approximately half of breast cancers develop in women who have no identifiable breast cancer risk factor other than being female and over 40 years of age. The symptoms of breast cancer can include a breast lump or thickening often without pain, the changing size, shape, or appearance of the breast, dimpling, redness, pitting, or other changes in the skin, the changing nipple appearance or the skin surrounding the nipple, abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple. The treatment for breast cancer depends on the subtype of cancer and how much it has spread outside of the breast to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body. The ministry is encouraging healthy lifestyles, regular screening and early detection as key to improving the outcome of the breast cancer diagnosis. It's with that in mind that the ministry throughout October will be intensifying its breast cancer awareness education program targeting the public and private sectors and schools. On Friday, staff at the ministry led by example by adorning in pink took a men's pink Friday, one of the activities for this year's observance of breast cancer awareness months. Workplaces and communities nationally will be invited to dress in pink or decorate their workstations in pink with a message to generate visibility and demonstrate the championing of the cause for breast cancer prevention. Another activity is the community outreach led by community nursing service. Each wellness center to dedicate one day of screening to community members and also decorate and showcase a display table throughout the month of October. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Millennium Heights Medical Complex will be hosting a mini health expo in the lobby of the facility where all patrons and patients are to participate. Educational sessions will continue for the month of October at all wellness centers under the theme let's stand for her, check your lemons. The Bureau of Health Education and Community Nursing Service will conduct breast health sessions within secondary schools with a specific focus on girls, teaching the importance of knowing their breasts, identifying the changes in their breasts, how to conduct a self breast exam and loving and caring for their breasts. Another activity is Kick for Cure. Kick for Cure is a special event held during the month of October to launch the Veterans Football Championship. The event will be held on the denry playing field on the 21st and 22nd October. Under this activity, the Ministry of Health will be conducting screening and educational sessions with the patrons. Globally, there are 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths in 2022, making it the most prevalent cancer in the world. From the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Early Affairs, Julia Peter reporting.