This year it will be 20 years, since my mum died from Ovarian Cancer.  By co-incidence, three friends and I have signed up to cycle from London to Paris.  On 5th May, four of us will set off from Blackheath in London and over four days make our way to Paris, a distance of approx. 300 miles.

I know that I am going to have fun (and a few saddle sores), but I want to use this opportunity to raise much needed funds for Ovarian Cancer Action.  Although it is 20 years since my mum died and there have been significant advances in cancer treatment; the statistics ovarian cancer still make me shudder, in the UK:

o  An estimated, 6,800 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer each year,

o  12 women a day die from the disease,

o  survival rates are as low as 40% (compared with 80% for breast cancer). 

Ovarian Cancer is often referred to as the the Silent Killer.  Early detection can increase survival rates by 90%; but there are no consistent early warning symptoms and public awareness is very low.  Ovarian Cancer Action seeks to tackle this on three fronts:

1) by funding research

2) by raising awareness

3) giving a voice

All costs of the trip will be covered by me and I must raise £1,300.  However, I have a personal target of £2,500 which I would like to raise.  If you donate £10, Just Giving will collect Give Aid (if you are a UK resident) on top of your £10 donation.  In addition, I have chosen to match donations from my own company; so any donations will be matched £ for £ (subject to a max. donation of £300). 

As a consequence, a £10 donation from yourself will result in £21.93 going to Ovarian Cancer Action. 

I appreciate that you may get a lot of requests to support various (very worthy) charity fundraising endeavours, so your support is very much appreciated, just as regular enquiries as to how the training is going or help with a training sessions are going to be equally important. 

Many thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks for your support,

Edwina

In the interest of raising awareness about Ovarian Cancer, please keep reading:

In 2008, the Department of Health consulted with some of the UK’s leading scientists, doctors and charities with an interest in ovarian cancer – including Ovarian Cancer Action - and agreed on a number of key symptoms, which are more common in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

This is a major development as diagnosing ovarian cancer can be difficult because symptoms are often similar to those caused by more common, less serious conditions.

If you have any of the following symptoms, it is unlikely that they are caused by a serious problem, but it is important that you discuss them with your doctor and ask if they have considered ovarian cancer. In particular, you should ask your GP whether ovarian cancer should be considered if you experience any of these three symptoms on most days:

• Persistent pelvic and stomach pain.

• Increased abdominal size / persistent bloating - not bloating that comes and goes.

• Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly.

Occasionally other symptoms such as urinary symptoms, changes in bowel habit, extreme fatigue or back pain may also be experienced on their own or at the same time as those listed above.

Early detection can raise survival rates to 90%

More information can be gathered by accessing Ovarian Cancer Actions website: www.ovarian.org.uk