Gloucestershire mum thankful she had throat pain checked

Jacqui and Jaigh ran the Race for Life together to raise awareness of cancer.

A mum who overcame tonsil cancer has said she is thankful she followed up with doctors over chronic throat pain.

Jacqui Butt, 53, from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, was diagnosed in October 2021.

After losing four stone in weight and living on liquid foods, Mrs Butt was given the all-clear last year.

Last year, she ran Cancer Research UK's Race for Life with her daughter Jaigh, 22, to celebrate the good news.

Following her cancer diagnosis, Mrs Butt had a tube inserted into her stomach, and had four teeth removed, so she could receive treatment.

It had a profound affect on her both physically and mentally.

"There were times when I could barely swallow, and I was living off liquid foods," she said.

"I lost four stone in weight, and I couldn't talk for a couple of weeks.

"It is always in the back of my mind that it could easily return.

She added: "I am back at work full-time and I have my friends and family to thank for all they have done for me."

In June 2023, Jacqui completed the Race for Life with her daughter Jaigh to celebrate the end of her cancer treatment.

"There were tears, but my mum was an absolute star," Jaigh said.

"We found the start of the race incredibly emotional and we were both surprised by the impact of that emotion."

Together they managed to walk their way through the 10K course in Redditch and crossed the finish line together.