Two Bristol surgeons are about to embark on an adventurous operation as they prepare to set sail on their new floating operating theatre, being launched tomorrow [Tuesday, 3 July], to help raise awareness of skin cancer.
The surgeons, both Bristol University PhD students, Dr Alex Varey, a trainee plastic surgeon and Dr Victoria Bills, a trainee obstetrician, are set to travel by river from Bristol to London on a floating operating theatre. The craft has been designed and built by the surgeons with assistance from volunteer technical experts.
The surgeons will navigate the motor-powered craft from Bristol via Henley Regatta and will arrive in London a week later. En-route, they will be inviting visitors to view their theatre, complete with a 5’6” ‘dangerous mole’, to highlight what skin changes to look out for and the importance of early detection.
The pair aim to raise at least £50,000 for the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and Skin Cancer Research Fund (SCaRF) charities and promote awareness of skin cancer in the UK.
There are now 75,000 new cases and over 2,300 deaths from skin cancer per year in the UK and these figures are rapidly rising. The UK now has more deaths per year from skin cancer than Australia, its traditional ‘hotspot’.
Victoria, said: “Prevention of skin cancer is so simple. It’s just a case of covering up in the midday sun and using high factor sunscreen. Treatment, however, requires the surgical removal of the cancer.”
“As well as encouraging prevention, we need to continue to strive for better outcomes for those who are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with skin cancer, which can only come through continuing the groundbreaking cancer research that both SCaRF and CRUK have funded in recent years.”
Alex, said: “As a trainee plastic surgeon it is so depressing to cut skin cancers out of people, ranging from teenagers through to the elderly, on a weekly basis. Through this challenge we hope to make the nation – and our generation in particular - wake up to the real danger that too much sun exposure carries. We also plan to raise a substantial sum of money for two charities that fund invaluable research, leading to real improvements in our treatment of skin cancer.”
The sailing surgeons are seeking sponsorship and prizes to auction through their website during the aquatic challenge. The website includes a progress blog, donations link and facts about skin cancer and can be accessed at www.sailingsurgeons.co.uk.
The pair will be setting sail from Baltic Wharf, Harbour Master Office, Bristol Harbour at 10 am on Tuesday, 3 July. Members of the public are welcome to attend the launch.