Bike tour from Linz (Austria) to London (UK) raises awareness against female cancer
The department of Gynaecological Oncology at Barts Health NHS Trust welcomed the Ride 4 Women team as they crossed the finish line of their 1,800 km long journey on the 27 May 2015 at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
The group of enthusiastic and motivated cyclists rode for 12 days from Linz (Austria) to battle through 7 countries across Europe, culminating at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. The aim of their journey was to increase awareness of pelvic cancer and motivate women to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle.
Despite 1.5 million women affected worldwide, awareness about gynecological cancers remains limited, especially in comparison to breast cancer. By highlighting symptoms to women across Europe, the group hope to encourage women to seek medical support sooner and help save lives.
The effort is supported by The Austrian Cancer Foundation, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) and ENYGO (European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists).
Says Rene Laky, founder of Ride 4 Women said: “Ride 4 women actively contributes towards an effort to reduce and prevent pelvic cancer deaths, as well as improve the quality of life of women who get pelvic cancer. We are grateful to the team at Barts Health for their support and being our partners in this.”
Dr Ranjit Manchanda, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at Barts Health NHS Trust added: “We are delighted to welcome and support the Ride 4 women team in their mission of raising awareness of gynaecological cancers. This is critically important for early diagnosis as we know that we can achieve a cure for 90% of cancers if they are detected at an early stage.”
Gynaecological cancers include ovarian, uterine, Cervical, vulval, vaginal and placental cancers.