Pancreatic cancer survivor loses mother to same disease

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 15:00 · Archive

A Lanarkshire woman who survived pancreatic cancer has lost her mother to the same illness.

Debra MacCuaig from Muirhead, North Lanarkshire, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at age 32. She initially dismissed itchy skin around her ankles as a reaction to a spray tan before a friend's wedding, but the symptom worsened and was joined by jaundice, darker urine and paler stools. She survived the disease and went on to have two children.

Her family's experience with the disease did not end there. Debra's mother Pam was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023, after developing type 2 diabetes. Pam underwent the same Whipple procedure as Debra followed by chemotherapy and initially recovered. However, the cancer returned in September 2024, spreading to her lungs and spine, and she died in May 2025. Debra's maternal grandfather also died from pancreatic cancer.

Debra is sharing her family's story as part of Pancreatic Cancer Action's Don't Wait Until You're Dying to Ask campaign, which encourages people to recognise symptoms and seek medical advice. She has said her story 'has heartbreak but it also has real hope, strength and survival'.

How it is being reported

• North Lanarkshire cancer survivor urges others to seek helpA cancer survivor is urging others to seek help after losing her mum to the same disease.Glasgow Times · 5 Nov, 14:18
• Heartbroken Lanarkshire woman who survived cancer loses her mum to same illness"When you go through something as traumatic as pancreatic cancer, you never imagine you'll have to go through the same journey again with someone you love."Glasgow Live · 5 Nov, 12:14

In this story: Debra MacCuaig · Pam MacCuaig · Muirhead · North Lanarkshire · Pancreatic Cancer Action

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log