‘The journey from hell’

May 9, 2019 at 10:36 am

Lorraine, back home in Orkney with her family. From the left is Kian (2), partner Alan Stout, Cavan (19), Lorraine and Darcy Mae (6). (Picture: Orkney Photographic)

It has truly been a journey to hell and back — but Orkney’s Lorraine Shearer is finally home celebrating with family and friends, after learning she has beaten an aggressive form of throat cancer.

In today’s The Orcadian, award-winning journalist Lorraine, 46, from Tankerness, candidly describes her seven-month battle, raising awareness of what is often deemed “an old man’s disease.”

But throat cancer is affecting more and more younger men and women, and Lorraine is determined now, more than ever, to alert people to the signs and symptoms, to ensure early diagnosis.

In her case, despite numerous tests over eight months, the cancer was missed. When she was finally diagnosed, she was told to prepare for “the journey from hell.”

“Unfortunately for me, the diagnosis took a long time,” she says.

“I’m not angry at those who missed it at the outset, but I would like to see changes whereby the NHS introduces a system for throat cancer patients where more than one biopsy is taken.

“Had they done that for me, I am certain my diagnosis would’ve been much earlier, possibly leading to a less invasive treatment and my recovery easier.”