Latest news with #Djennah
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Inspirational Motherwell mum who overcame cancer aged 32 chosen to launch Scotland's biggest Race for Life
Djennah Benaouicha was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Glasgow. She joined her partner Ross Fisher and her five-year-old daughter Millie McKeen sounding the starter horn. An inspirational Lanarkshire mum who overcame cancer aged 32 was chosen to launch Scotland's biggest Race for Life. Djennah Benaouicha was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Glasgow. She joined her partner Ross Fisher and her five-year-old daughter Millie McKeen sounding the starter horn to send thousands of participants on the 3k and 5k courses at Glasgow Green. It was an emotional moment for Djennah who despite successful treatment for an early form of breast cancer discovered she has inherited a damaged version of a gene called ATM, increasing her risk of cancer. She now faces more surgery to cut the risk of cancer returning. As almost 6,000 people took to the streets of Scotland's largest city £735,754 was raised for Cancer Research UK- vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer- to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Over the last 50 years, Cancer Research UK's work has helped double breast cancer survival in the UK. Djennah, a physiotherapist from Motherwell, recalls vividly the uncertainty she felt when doctors at University Hospital Wishaw told her she had cancer on October 1 2024, the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Djennah, now 33, said: 'Your world collapses when you hear the word cancer. 'My daughter had just started school and we'd been making plans for her fifth birthday which was three days away. But I felt lucky that the cancer had been caught early. 'I'm well now so it's important to me to do everything I can to raise awareness. I want to support research to help people going through cancer right now and to find better treatments for my daughter's generation.' Every year around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland. Djennah's team raised £861 by completing the Race for Life Glasgow 3k route. She was joined at the start line of Race for Life by Dr Kirsteen Campbell of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow. Breast cancer is a major focus for Dr Campbell's research and she's also part of a team studying other cancers including prostate, pancreatic, lung and brain cancer. The team has discovered a weak spot in cancer cells that healthy cells don't rely on as much. By targeting this vulnerability, scientists hope to kill more cancer cells while also making existing treatments gentler and more effective. They're investigating how special drugs called BH3 mimetics can help by blocking a protein called MCL-1, especially in cancers that don't respond well to current treatments. Dr Campbell said: 'We're proud that our research today in Scotland could make a difference to patients in the future. 'By targeting the proteins that help cancer cells stay alive, we aim to find better, more effective and kinder treatments. Research to understand more about the disease is expensive. That's why I'm in awe of every single person who crosses the finish line at Race for Life. Thank you Glasgow.' A team of teachers and youngsters from Caldervale High School in Airdrie took part in memory of senior six pupil Isla Sneddon who was 17 when she died in March 2025 from cancer. Isla's family also took part in the 5k including Isla's cousin Fiona Sandilands. Caldervale High School deputy head Scott Morgan said: 'Isla was such an important part of the school community. 'She is loved and missed by all of us. We are keen to do everything we can to raise much needed funds for cancer research.' Fancy dress costumes also included a team dressed as inflatable unicorns raising awareness of skin cancer. Participants were entertained on the course by the Rock Choir and members of the ScottishPower pipe band. Labour MP for Glasgow East John Grady ran the 5k and afterwards gave medals out at the finish line. Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. Now organisers are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters. And they're appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible. Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in Scotland, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Glasgow. 'No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime*** but all of us can support the research that will beat it. 'We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years. 'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life Glasgow, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease. 'Now we're asking everyone who took part to return the money they're raised as soon as possible. Every donation, every pound raised will make a real difference. '
Glasgow Times
02-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
'My sister pushed for cancer test, without her I might not be here'
The physiotherapist is in remission from cancer but she knows things could have turned out very differently. 'I felt fortunate to have Nadia by my side that day,' says Djennah, who is 33, and mother to five-year-old Millie. Djenna with her daughter Millie (Image: CRUK) Djennah, from Motherwell, first visited her GP after discovering a lump in her right breast in February last year. Initial tests showed there was "no cause for concern" but over time, the lump continued to grow. Nadia, who lives in Blantyre, had been treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early breast cancer, in 2021 when she was 39. DCIS means some cells in the lining of the ducts of the breast tissue have started to turn in to cancer cells. Djenna is taking part in the Race for Life (Image: CRUK) Djennah returned to the breast clinic in September last year and this time, she took Nadia with her. The two women persuaded medical staff to do a mammogram, which picked up an area of concern. Djennah was referred for a biopsy, and on October 1, 2024, she was told she too had DCIS. 'Your world collapses when you hear the word cancer,' says Djennah. 'My daughter had just started school and we'd been making plans for her fifth birthday which was three days away. 'But I felt lucky that the cancer had been caught early." READ NEXT: Glasgow apprentices hail sport programme as "life-changing" READ NEXT: Pupils' fears over selfish parking outside Glasgow school following 'near misses' She adds: 'If my sister hadn't come with me to that appointment, I don't know if I would have pushed for a mammogram and the outcome could have been very different. 'I'd been told that mammograms are harder to read in younger women because the breast tissue is denser. They agreed to go ahead with the test because of our family history. 'We've always been close as sisters and I felt fortunate to have her by my side that day. I'm grateful for her support all through the treatment that followed.' Djenna in hospital during treatment (Image: CRUK) Djennah's story did not end there, however. A week before her surgery to remove the lump, blood tests picked up a fault in the ATM gene, which is important for repairing DNA damage and maintaining the health of cells. It means she has a higher risk of breast cancer than the general population. 'That was a lot to take in,' she admits. 'I also knew this was information I'd now need to share with my wider family so the news came with a feeling of responsibility. 'I worried that I was giving people something to worry about and I couldn't help feeling guilty about it.' Nadia, who is now 42, has since discovered she has the ATM gene fault. The women's other sister Luisa, and mum Sandra, have not taken the test. After the operation and radiotherapy, Djennah rang the bell to mark the end of treatment at the Beatson Cancer Centre. Djenna with her daughter Millie and partner Ross (Image: CRUK) She said: 'It's been an emotional time but I'm stronger now. There have been tears but my wonderful sisters and mum were there for me every step of the way. 'My partner Ross has been incredible. I don't know what I'd have done without him.' She adds, smiling: 'And my daughter Millie is my ray of sunshine, who makes me smile every day.' Djennah is sharing her story as she prepares to take part in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Glasgow Green on May 18. The family have vowed to complete the 5k, crossing the finish line together, and are calling on people to join them. 'The ATM gene fault was only discovered in the 1990s so I'm aware we're being helped by science which in the past was simply not known about,' says Djennah. 'Now I want to do what I can for people going through similar situations and to raise awareness that cancer can happen at any age. 'I firmly believe that knowledge is power. It has allowed me to make plans. I will definitely be having a double mastectomy to reduce my risk in the near future.' Every year around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland. Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman Scotland, said: 'We are grateful to Djennah for her support and know her story will make an impact on everyone who hears it. 'Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact.' To enter, visit
