Latest news with #LorraineTaylor
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Cancer turns lives upside down': Mum and daughter reveal they both battled cancer
A mum and daughter duo who have each beaten cancer are now taking part in Glasgow's Race for Life this weekend. Lorraine Taylor, 64, and her daughter Michelle Harris, 38, will take part in the fundraising event for cancer research in Glasgow Green on May 18. Michelle, a teacher of complex needs, was diagnosed with skin cancer in November 2019. Read more: Race for Life to return to Glasgow - what you need to know Michelle said: "Cancer turns lives upside down, steals precious moments and affects far too many of us. "For me, it's personal as both my mum and I have faced it. "Mum and I have always been close. "We talk almost every day and plan weekends away together. "Mum was an amazing support for me when I was diagnosed and when mum faced cancer, I was right there for her. "Taking part in Race for Life is not just about the miles. "It's about giving back to a cause that has given our family and so many others hope. "Research means more people are getting through cancer. "We're proud to support that, to cross the finish line in honour of those going through cancer right now and also in memory of some friends and colleagues we have sadly lost to cancer." Michelle had day surgery on November 30, 2019, to remove the mole as well as lymph nodes from under her arms. She recovered well and no further treatment is now needed, though she still has regular check-ups on other areas of her body where there are moles. Lorraine was diagnosed with cancer just 16 months after Michelle's diagnosis. She had no symptoms when she attended a routine breast screening appointment in March 2021 and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Lorraine said: "I remember coming out of the appointment and feeling shell-shocked as I called my daughter Michelle to give her the news. "It was stressful at the time but in a way, I actually felt lucky as screening meant they had caught the cancer early. "Michelle was a great support to me." Lorraine was scheduled for surgery in April 2021 but it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She eventually had the surgery that June followed by eight sessions of radiotherapy at the Lanarkshire Beatson in Airdrie. After overcoming their cancer ordeal, the pair are determined to complete the 10k and are encouraging others to join them. They will be joined by Michelle's daughter Abby Harris, 17, and her pet dog Maze. Michelle and Lorraine on a family holiday (Image: Supplied) Read more: Cambuslang woman to trek Himalayas for charity Abby said: 'My mum and my gran are both amazing, strong women and I'll be proud to be by their side at Race for Life Glasgow.' Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in Scotland, said: "We are grateful to Michelle, Lorraine and Abby for their support and know their family story will make an impact on everyone who hears it. 'We'd love for as many people as possible across Scotland and beyond to join us at Race for Life."
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Motherwell mum and daughter who have both overcome cancer set to take part in Race for Life in Glasgow
It will be a special moment when Lorraine Taylor, 64, joins her daughter Michelle Harris, 38, and her granddaughter Abby Harris, 17, on the start line of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Glasgow Green on May 18. A Motherwell mum and daughter who have both overcome cancer are set to take part in Race for Life in Glasgow together to support others going through the disease. It will be a special moment when Lorraine Taylor, 64, joins her daughter Michelle Harris, 38, and her granddaughter Abby Harris, 17, on the start line of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Glasgow Green on May 18. The family have vowed to complete the 10k and are calling on people to join them. Michelle, a teacher, recalled vividly her shock in November 2019 when she was diagnosed with skin cancer. After doctors gave her the news that she had malignant melanoma, she was helped through treatment by her family including her mum Lorraine. And just 16 months later after Lorraine was diagnosed with breast cancer, Michelle stepped up to support. Michelle said: 'Cancer turns lives upside down, steals precious moments and affects far too many of us. 'For me it's personal as both my mum and I have faced it. Mum and I have always been close. We talk almost every day and plan weekends away together. 'Mum was an amazing support for me when I was diagnosed and when mum faced cancer I was right there for her. Taking part in Race for Life is not just about the miles. 'It's about giving back to a cause that has given our family and so many others hope. Research means more people are getting through cancer. 'We're proud to support that, to cross the finish line in honour of those going through cancer right now and also in memory of some friends and colleagues we have sadly lost to cancer.' Michelle, who is in remission, understands the devastation of a skin cancer diagnosis all too well. She was on a family holiday to Finland in the summer of 2019 when her husband Alistair Harris, 45, first flagged that a mole on her back had changed shape and was growing larger. Michelle had noticed the mole had also become itchy. She visited her GP and was referred to University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie for tests which confirmed she had cancer. Breaking the news to her children Abby, 17, and Kaden, 13, was tough. Michelle said: 'I was very matter of fact and open when I told the children I had cancer. 'I explained that doctors had told me it was stage 2b melanoma so they had got the cancer early. Although I had to go through an operation I was going to be okay. 'I just had to get on with things. It was good the NHS were there to look after me so well and my GP was fantastic.' Michelle had day surgery to remove the mole as well as lymph nodes from under her arms. She recovered well. No further treatment is now required but she has regular check ups on other areas of her body where there are moles. She said: 'I think it's really important to raise awareness about skin cancer. 'I am fair skinned so I take extra care in the sun, make sure I'm covered in sun screen and seek shade when the sun is at its hottest.' Michelle's mum, Lorraine Taylor who is also in remission from cancer had no symptoms when she attended a routine breast screening appointment which women in Scotland between the ages of 50 and 70 are invited to every three years. A few weeks later, Lorraine was asked to attend the West Scotland Breast Screening Centre in Glasgow and in March 2021 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. 'I went to the appointment on my own which looking back on it I think was a mistake,' said Lorraine. 'I remember coming out of the appointment and feeling shell shocked as I called my daughter Michelle to give her the news. It was stressful at the time but in a way I actually felt lucky as screening meant they had caught the cancer early. 'Michelle was a great support to me and so was my husband Martin who came with me to appointments after that.' Lorraine was scheduled for surgery in April 2021 but it was a blow when the Covid pandemic meant the surgery had to be delayed. She eventually had the surgery at Kings Park Hospital in June that year followed by eight sessions of radiotherapy at the Lanarkshire Beatson in Airdrie. She was prescribed the hormone therapy drug Tamoxifen and receives annual mammograms. Lorraine's granddaughter, Abby Harris who has also recruited her pet dog Maze to take part in Race for Life is hugely proud of her mum and gran. Abby said: 'My mum and my gran are both amazing, strong women and I'll be proud to be by their side at Race for Life Glasgow.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
