Djennah overcomes cancer at 32 to sound horn on Glasgow run

An inspirational Lanarkshire mum who overcame cancer aged 32 was chosen to launch Scotland's biggest Race for Life.

- ROSS THOMSON

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 6000 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.