BT Corporate Charity Ride
Celebrities will be joining forces on bikes to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
The corporate cycling challenge, taking place on 14 September, will see 2,000 cyclists hit the streets of London on a 34km route. The event will start and finish at the ExCel Centre at London Docklands.
The event aims to promote cancer awareness and education in symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors, research and treatment. The men’s health profile event hopes to raise £1 million. Chief executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, John Neate is the cycle event’s coordinator. He said that the organization hopes to build an annual flagship event that will sustain awareness of prostrate cancer.
Celebrities already signed up to take part in the event include Neil Fox, Adrian Chiles, Graeme Le Saux, Mark Lawrenson, Lee Sharpe, as well over 2,000 participating cyclists. The course will be challenging, taking in various iconic sights around London.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK representing a quarter of all new cases of cancer diagnosed in men. It usually affects men over 50 years old, with the risk of getting it increasing with age. However, it can affect younger men, though this is rare. Current theories on the causes include family predisposition, and diet – with diets high in saturated animal fats and red meat presented as the main culprits. Symptoms include: needing to urinate frequently, especially at night; difficulty starting to urinate; pain; and new pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis.
A PSA blood test is used to analyse the amount of protein released from the prostate into the bloodstream. And a DRE (digital rectal exam) is used to determine abnormalities in size, texture etc of the prostate. However, these tests are often inconclusive, and cannot be used as a reliable diagnostic tool. Instead, a biopsy is needed to determine if prostate cells are cancerous. There is no unanimous opinion on the screening for prostate cancer. Research into treatment options, diet and lifestyle changes will all impact on how prostate cancer is dealt with, and ultimately increase survival rates.
The event is inspired by cancer survivor, Lance Armstrong. Armstrong came back from the brink of death to win seven Tour De Frances. Neate explained the importance of fighting for increased cancer research funding, which he believes will always be met with fervent, dedicated support.
Most of the celebrities have managed to get out and about on the bike with training in mind, but despite the effort demanded of them, they admit that any suffering will be a small price to pay for such a worthy cause.
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