THE race is on to fight cancer in women.

People across Sussex are being urged to raise vital cash for research by running in the Imperial Cancer Research Fund's Race For Life at Preston Park, Brighton, on July 4.

The Argus is backing a campaign to find new cures for cancer, which is still a major killer of women in Britain.

Imperial Cancer estimates about 140,000 British women will be diagnosed with the disease this year.

One in 11 will suffer from breast cancer during their lifetime and there are almost 1,400 deaths from cervical cancer in the UK every year.

The Race For Life aims to offer hope to sufferers by raising money which will be used to find new answers in the prevention, treatment and cure of cancers that affect women.

More than 300 women have already signed up to walk, run or jog the 5km race which is also being staged in 53 other towns and cities throughout the country.

Last year, 1,028 people took part in Brighton, raising £35,000, and it is hoped that record can be smashed this year.

Race organiser Alison Cross said: "I would encourage people to take part because it's such an important cause. I think everyone knows someone who has had cancer or died from it.

"Ovarian and breast cancers are still big killers in this country. But cancer can be cured and a lot of these women are being saved. Imperial Cancer is doing a lot to combat the problem."

You don't have to be a fitness freak to take part. The race can be walked, run or even crawled and is open to women of all ages and abilities.

Participants can run as individuals, or why not rally together a team from family members, friends or colleagues?

Since the event was launched five years ago, more than £4 million has been raised which has been used to investigate the causes of cancer, new cures, and to offer support to sufferers.

Among the top achievements of Imperial Cancer, which depends almost entirely on voluntary funding, is helping save many women from the trauma of a mastectomy after helping prove that removing a lump can be just as effective.

Ateam of 34 staff from Debenhams in Brighton and Worthing are among those already in training for the run.

Receptionist Anna Scott explained she felt compelled to take part after a close friend died from breast cancer in her twenties.

She said: "She was such a beautiful person, so full of life and the last person you would think could die.

"Cancer is something that is relevant to all women and the race is something we can all get behind.

"In this day and age it should not be such a big killer, but it is, so we need to raise money to do something about it."

For more information and to enter The Race For Life, ring 00990 134314.

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