Health key to war on cancer

By JULIET ROWAN

Kiwi sporting great Allison Roe says a new strategy is needed in the battle against breast cancer.

The former world champion marathon runner believes campaigns like the Breast Cancer Foundation's Pink Ribbon Day and the Cancer Society's Daffodil Day have raised awareness of the disease but more is needed to prevent deaths.

"You can wave pink ribbons and daffodils as hard as you like, but it's not changing the statistics," she said.

Breast cancer kills more than 600 New Zealand women every year. One in 10 will be diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime.

Roe, a doctor's daughter, believes the key to reducing the death rate lies in prevention and education.

"Literally hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on breast cancer research, screening, diagnosis and treatment worldwide, but still increasing numbers of women are being diagnosed."

Roe has been passionate about the cause since watching a friend's mother die from breast cancer a decade ago.

"It tore the family apart," she said.

In the last two years, she has raised more than $100,000 for breast cancer organisations. Now the 48-year-old mother of two has launched a health trust to raise more funds and encourage women to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The Allison Roe Trust aims to educate women about nutrition, exercise and minimising exposure to environmental toxins.

Roe advocates avoiding chemicals as a preventive measure against breast cancer.

She compares eating organic food and drinking filtered water, which she does herself, to wearing a seatbelt. "You have a better chance of survival."

She says exercise is also crucial to keeping healthy.

The trust will hold Run to Heal, a 5km/10km walk/run, in Christchurch and Auckland in the next two months.

Roe, who runs, walks or goes to the gym most days, said the event fits with the trust's philosophy of taking action to prevent breast cancer.

Funds raised from Run to Heal will go to groups fighting the disease. Roe hopes the money will benefit health organisations like those for Maori and Pacific Island women, who suffer above-average rates of breast cancer.

Run to Heal will be held in Christchurch on October 17 and in Auckland on November 7.

Run to Heal