STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — Hundreds of cyclists are heading out Saturday morning for the annual VeloSano Bike to Cure fundraiser.
What You Need To Know
One hundred percent of proceeds from VeloSano go toward cancer research at Cleveland Clinic
Over 2,700 cyclists will take part in the ride to raise funds
Genetic testing helped one woman catch a cancer diagnosis early
The event raises money for cancer research at Cleveland Clinic.
One woman and cancer survivor said she is doing the ride for her kids.
Rose Sanders watched as her mom struggled through 11 years of cancer treatments.
Her mother left her a binder filled with her medical journey as well as medical family history.
Sanders’ mom passed away when Sanders was 30-years-od.
She said she didn’t want the same fate for her children and had genetic testing in her twenties. It found she carries CDH1, a gene that greatly increases your chances of cancer.
The gene increases people’s chance of breast cancer by 40 to 50% according to Dr. Jame Abraham, breast oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic. He said it increases the risk of stomach cancer by 25 to 35%.
Abraham said genetic testing involves taking a blood test.
Sanders was diagnosed with stomach cancer after the birth of her fourth child. She was 32
Abraham said the gene is rare compared to BRCA1 and BRCA2, genes more commonly known to cause breast cancer. He said he recommends anyone with a family history of stomach cancer to speak to a doctor at age 25.
Knowing she carried the gene meant Sanders got screened more often and was able to find cancer in its early stages.
Sanders ended up having her stomach removed at age 32. She decided to have a double mastectomy as a preventative measure at age 35.
Her pathology report came back positive for breast cancer.
Because it was found early, she ended up not needing chemotherapy or radiation.
Sanders will be riding 25 miles in Saturday’s VeloSano bike ride. she’ll be joined by 2,700 other riders.
“I hope that with the funds raised – especially with VeloSano – that my kids won’t have to do what I’ve done and hopefully there will be some preventative choice for them,” Sanders said.