Globe-athon Launches in 70 Countries Connecting Patients, Survivors, Doctors and Women Worldwide to Raise Awareness of Below the Belt Cancers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Globe-athon to End Women's Cancers kicked-off today with the announcement of 170 events occurring in 70 countries throughout September to raise awareness of silent, yet deadly below the belt cancers. In its second year, Globe-athon awareness events, screenings and educational seminars will occur worldwide during GYN Cancer Awareness Month to ultimately increase the early detection and prevention of gynecologic cancers (GYN).

GYN cancers account for 19 percent of the 5.1 million estimated new cancer cases and 2.9 million cancer deaths each year worldwide, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization. GYN cancers include uterine (endometrial), cervical, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar. Globe-athon was created to address the need for further awareness on a global scale about the impact of these deadly diseases to help change the lives of millions of women and their families.

"Awareness is the main barrier to early detection and prevention of gynecologic cancers, especially in countries where illiteracy rates are high, women's rights are limited and issues below the belt are considered taboo," said Dr. Larry Maxwell, M.D., FACOG, Department Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inova Fairfax Hospital, and Director of Globe-athon. "With gynecologic cancer rates on the rise, now is the time for doctors, patients and survivors across the globe to collaborate and help women understand the dangers of these deadly cancers. Together we can change these statistics by uniting in educational and investigational efforts worldwide."

70 Countries Host 170 Globe-athon Events in Just 4 Weeks

Each week during September, a different region of the world will take the lead in hosting Globe-athon events.  To find an event near you visit www.globeathon.com, and view this video (http://bit.ly/1un7mMG) of Globe-athon supporters uniting worldwide. Awareness events slated for each region will be tailored to meet cultural needs and will include everything from runs to education sessions to climbathons. The events will follow this timeline:

• Week of September 7: North and South America
• Week of September 14: Africa and Middle East
• Week of September 21: Europe and North Asia
• Week of September 28: East Asia and Asia Pacific

More than 90 Million Steps Pledged to Raise Awareness

As part of this year's effort, the Globe-athon STEPtember Pledge provides a unifying action that anyone can take to help raise awareness. The pledge asks participants to set a goal of taking 10,000 steps a day during September to bring attention to GYN cancers. As of today, more than 90 million steps have already been pledged on www.globeathon.com. The pledge also provides an opportunity to increase physical activity and improve health, as the risk of a variety of GYN cancers have been linked to obesity.

About Globe-athon To End Women's Cancers

Globe-athon is a global movement to raise awareness about below the belt cancers. In its second year, Globe-athon is the only international movement focused on the prevention and early detection all gynecological cancers, including uterine (endometrial), cervical, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar. The movement to end women's cancers is supported by international gynecologists, gynecological oncologists and doctors, as well as gynecological cancer survivors. To find an event near you visit www.globeathon.com.

Follow us on www.facebook.com/globeathon and www.twitter.com/globeathon.

SOURCE Globe-athon to End Women’s Cancers