It strikes its victims randomly and no one is immune from its ruthless assault -- even men.

Breast cancer continues to plague women around the world and it is targeting more and more young women each day.

The Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association's Dorothy Swan said local statistics on the disease showed that breast cancer was not limited to women alone. Men are susceptible to getting the disease which usually strikes them harder.

"I think it should be called breast health,'' she said.

Since 1980, six men in Bermuda have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

"Four of them have died, one has moved away and one was just recently diagnosed with it,'' said Ms Swan. "We need to be aware that men can get it.

"However it is lethal in men,'' she pointed out. "They don't have all of that fatty tissue so it goes straight to the chest wall. Men with the disease tend to die within the year.'' And Ms Swan said there was a disturbing trend towards younger women getting the disease.

"Worldwide we are seeing more women getting it at a younger age and it is predominately more black women.'' According to local statistics, since 1980, 539 women have been diagnosed with breast cancer and of that number 252 lost their battle with the disease.

"Of those 539 women, 150 of them were between the ages of 20 and 45, while 389 were post menopausal,'' she explained. "So it is still predominately a disease of women over 40.

"It is not frequent but more and more we are seeing younger women with the disease. A lot of the times these women have a genetic history of the disease.'' It is recommended that anyone with a genetic history of breast cancer in their family -- siblings, parents or the parent's immediate family -- should see their doctor.

"In younger women the disease tends to be more aggressive than in post menopausal women,''she added.

Ms Swan said researchers still did not know what causes breast cancer.

"The number one risk factor is just being a woman,'' he said. "It can happen to anyone. Genetics is another major factor.'' Despite the recent widespread coverage breast cancer receives -- the television show Murphy Brown had its lead actress diagnosed with breast cancer and spent last season portraying how women cope with the disease -- officials say that women are still not facing up to the stark reality of the disease and its diagnosis.

"We still are not getting the message out,'' said Ms Swan. "Women are still not doing breast examinations because they are afraid of what they may find.

"The biggest tool that we have in treating the disease is early detection. By picking it up early, they have a better chance of surviving.'' To raise awareness on the issue the Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association will be staging a series of events for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Ms Swan said a documentary on the struggle to cope with the frightening disease will kick off the month this Thursday.

"We want to spotlight women and their families and how the disease affects their lives and how they cope with it,'' she explained. "It will air on ZBM at 8 p.m.'' Other events include a 3K/5K Fun Walk which will take place during the October 7 Harbour Nights.

"We are selling $20 registration packs in which participants get information on the disease and several pink ribbons,'' said Ms Swan. "They can then give their friends a pink ribbon to wear.

"They will also receive pledge forms in their packs. We are trying to get people to get pledges.'' Last year the event raised $20,000 which went towards the purchase of a second top-of-the-line mammography machine.

Ms Swan said a number of the participants already signed up for the event are doing the walk on behalf of someone they know who has the disease.

"We have people who are walking for friends who either have or died from breast cancer. They are getting their T-shirts embossed with the name of the individual with the disease.'' The Fun Walk will get underway at 6.30 p.m. at the Flagpole on Front Street in Hamilton.

And the Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association are encouraging business to enter corporate teams into the event.

"This year the money from the walk will go to breast cancer education for health care professionals and nurses so they can go out into the community and conduct workshops,'' Ms Swan explained. "Our goal is to educate as many nurses as possible since they are the ones on the front line meeting and interacting with women.

"We want them to know the guidelines for mammography and to be able to teach someone how to do breast examination.'' Doctors will not be left out of the loop, she added. There are plans to help physicians set up new breast cancer programmes in their offices.

"We also want to assist doctors to set up a programme in their office whereby they can keep track of women/patients who are turning 40 or have genetic risk of breast cancer. The women will be sent a letter reminding them to go for their first mammography.'' Ms Swan also said a television forum on breast cancer will air on October 12 at 8 p.m. on ZBM.

"It will feature a live audience asking a panel consisting of an ecologist, a representative from BF&M, myself and a visiting American professor,'' she explained. "His name is Dr. Marc Hommer and he is a professor at the New England Medical Centre and actually he is Bermudian born.'' A fashion show, showcasing women who have breast cancer or who have had mastectomies, is also in the works, Ms Swan added.

"It will be sponsored by the Just Between Us support group,'' she explained.

"And I will be giving a light-hearted speech at it.'' The fashionable event will be held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on October 11 at 2 p.m.

Later that week -- October 12 to October 16 -- a Photographic Essay featuring pictures of women who died from breast cancer will be held at the City Hall in Hamilton.

"We have added six young women's pictures to the display since last year,'' Ms Swan pointed out. "Underneath each picture we will have a little something written about them.'' She also said a Memorial Service, at the Anglican Cathedral, will be held on October 25 at 3 p.m. to remember all those who perished and those who are currently battling the disease.

The final event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month will take place on October 30 at the Flag Pole on Front Street.

"A billboard will be displayed all day and we are inviting people to go down and stick their pink ribbons, which symbolise support for breast cancer, on the board.'' Registration packs for the October 7 Fun Walk are available at the Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association, The Sports Locker in the Windsor Place on Queen Street and at Sportseller in Washington Mall.

The $10 tickets for the Fashion Show at the BUEI are available from the Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association or Just Between Us volunteers. There will also be tickets sold at the door. For more information on the show telephone 236-3287.

Breast cancer tips Here are some general tips every woman should know and follow regarding breast self examinations and mammograms: A breast self examination should be done by every woman every month from puberty through old age.

The best time to do a breast self examination is seven to ten days after the last menstrual period; After menopause or following a hysterectomy, do a breast self examination on the first day of every month; Every woman should have a baseline mammogram every one to two years; and After the age of 50, every woman should have a mammogram yearly.