New Delhi, Oct 2  At least 60 decorated cars, with name and blood groups of occupants pasted on them, were flagged off early Friday as a women's car rally started from here to spread awareness of breast cancer among people.

Sixty women, some of them survivors of breast cancer, drove from New Delhi to Agra to spread awareness about the disease that kills 40,000 women in India every year. The car rally was followed by doctors, health and community activists on Gandhi Jayanti.

"Oh, I am delighted to be part of this cause. It will do wonders to spread awareness among women in a large way," Sita Paintal, a participant, told IANS.

Ramesh Sarin, founder chairperson of the Forum for Breast Cancer Protection, said: "Nearly 100,000 women get affected by the disease every year in India, of whom around 40,000 die due to lack of awareness and late diagnosis. This effort is to create awareness about the disease among women in small towns."

"These participants think that women can reduce the burden of this disease by becoming aware of their own health and this rally will teach simple techniques to go for self breast checkups," P. K. Julka, a senior oncologist at AIIMS, said after the rally was flagged off from Saket in south Delhi.

From Maruti 800 to Honda City and Sports Utility Vehicles all were in line and their drivers all smiles as the hooter went off to mark the start of the rally.

The rally is a Time Speed Distance (TSD) event that comprises a set of instructions specifying a route to travel and a speed at which to travel. The teams will be marked on how close to the correct time they arrive.

Sarin said after reaching Agra, doctors will treat patients in 10 camps with the support of local NGOs. "There will be at least 10 free camps for both treatment and checkups in Agra. Doctors who will go from here will render their services free."

After this, more rallies will be organised in other cities like Meerut, Moradabad, Kanpur and Lucknow. (IANS)