Three medical centres in Burgas will offer free breast cancer checks from 14 to 29 October, the women's motorcycle association Lady Bikers MPowered Bulgaria said. On 17 October, the Burgas bridge will be lit up in pink as a sign of hope and support for women with the disease.

Checks will take place on nine days. At the El-Masri medical centre, Dr Adem Hadzhimehmed will see patients on 14 and 15 October. Dr Tinka Arnaudova will see patients at the Deva Maria university hospital on five days: 15, 19, 22, 28 and 29 October.

The Complex Oncology Centre – Burgas is joining the campaign for the first time. Dr Ani Dragolova will see patients there on 16 and 17 October. With the centre on board, more women will be able to get a free check.

The Bulgarian Breast Cancer Association (BBCA) is the association's partner. Burgas council and the local biker community also back the campaign. It is part of the National Breast Cancer Campaign, and in Burgas the programme is again the biggest.

The motorcycle clubs Hooligans MC Burgas and New Race MCC are taking part for the first time this year. Morski Bratya MCC, the Bulgarian Chopper Society and Born Free MCC have joined for years. The organisers thank the doctors, the hospital teams and the male bikers for their support. They say the men's presence shows that women's health is a cause for every family, out of love for mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and friends.

The organisers say fear and busy daily lives lead many women to put off a check-up. They urge women to go now, with the support of those close to them: "Don't put off your check-up because of fear or lack of time. Take time for yourself. Your dreams, your hugs and your presence mean everything to the people who love you."

Under the slogan "Pass it on!", the organisers ask every woman to encourage at least one more woman close to her to get checked after her own visit: a mother, sister, daughter, friend or colleague. They say even a simple "I'll come with you" can give a woman the confidence to book an appointment.

Medics who want to volunteer can find information and a form at www.bbca.bg/join. Stories and details about the campaign are on www.ladybikers.bg and on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LBMPBG.