They were the anthemic words that iconic and inimitable Aussie female rock artist Chrissy Amphlett sang as lead singer of the Divinyls. One year after her death, Amphlett’s divine wish to use the song to raise awareness about the importance of women taking breast checks into their own hands has been realised.

A troupe of Australian female music artists have come together to re-release the song and launch the I Touch Myself campaign commissioned by the Cancer Council, a day that will be celebrated on April 21 each year to raise awareness and educate women about the effectiveness of early detection.

For five of our own brave breast cancer survivors, it is a simple, but effective message and one that does save lives.

Lynne Frances, Karen Hermsen, Tara Hoy, Helen Mason and Judith Hutchesson are all here today because of a breast check that took just a few minutes to complete. Touching themselves, they say, gave them a second chance at life.

"You should never stop. Particularly younger women who are busy working - take the time to do it and older women. We've had women in their eighties diagnosed with breast cancer," Helen said.

Helen is this year celebrating her 14th year being cancer free. But in that time, many women in her family have been impacted by the devastating news that they too have developed the disease.

"I found out after a visit to the breast check caravan. I had an aunt who was diagnosed 40 years earlier so there was no real family history of it. But since that time I have had a niece and my younger sister diagnosed," Helen said.

"I think when you are diagnosed, family is of great support. But for me, with the treatment these days a diagnosis is not a death sentence. I felt hopeful that way."

For both Lynne Frances and Karen Hermsen, breast cancer has infiltrated the lives of many women in their families and self checks are non-negotiable.

Lynne has just passed three years cancer free and she couldn't be happier. Diagnosed at 63, Lynne's sister has battled the disease twice while her grandmother and aunt were also affected.

"When you here the news that you have cancer it is still a shock," Lynne said."I would have checks every 12 months because of my history. Because of that we found it early and now it's gone."

For Lynne, the legacy of her cancer battle will be to ensure her daughter Karen takes care of her own health.

"With young women who are working hard six days a week many of them just don't find the time to have their breasts checked," Lynne said. A cancer diagnosis for Karen Hermsen was one of toughest battles of all. The news in March last year that she had breast cancer came just three days before her mother Violet passed away from the disease.

"I decided to just put mine aside and be with mum. Every day I think about her," Karen, 57, said. Her mother passed away at 89, just one year after her initial diagnosis. Karen, who is celebrating her first 12 months after the end of her cancer treatment, is determined to fight in her honour.

For Tara Hoy, surviving a cancer diagnosis at 50 has been life changing. With no family history of the disease, Tara's diagnosis after visit to the doctor after feeling a burning sensation in her breast was a shock.

"I always thought if I got cancer it certainly wouldn't be breast cancer.It felt like my feet had been kicked out from underneath me. I had no anchor, I had to find a new anchor," Tara said.

"I also felt shame - I shouldn't feel shame because I had cancer."

Tara said it forced her to reconsider her lifestyle - to cut back on the drinking, start exercising and reduce stress.

"That was two years ago - the latest tests say I'm all clear," she said with a smile.

Tara has now joined the Port Macquarie-Hastings Breast Cancer Support Group, a network of cancer survivors who provide support to women under the guidance of the Cancer Council and Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Coordinator Judith Hutchesson, a cancer survivor of 12 years, said since the group's inception more than 200 Hastings women have become a part of their family of survivors.

"If there is any advice I can give is that all women need to ensure they have breast checks - be vigilant at all times, make sure it doesn't slip away because then it just becomes too late."