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Woman trying to stop aggressive cancer in her children and grandchildren by finding long-lost relatives

A woman needs help finding long-lost relatives to stop her children and grandchildren from dying from an aggressive form of cancer.

Barbara Harrison has already lost her Island-born father George Mann and brother Richard to a type of bowel cancer that quickly spreads throughout the rest of the body.

Her sister Sandra also had the disease and had part of her bowel removed, while her other sibling David is being treated for the illness in France.

Barbara Harrison's mother and father
Barbara Harrison's mother and father

The 65-year-old is hoping she will be able to catch the cancer in its early stages by undergoing testing every three months.

But before the regular screenings can be carried out, she needs to find out the medical history of those on her father’s side of the family.

However, she lost touch with her Minster-based relatives following the death of her father in 1990 and is not even certain they live in the area anymore.

Barbara Harrison with her father George Mann
Barbara Harrison with her father George Mann

Mrs Harrison, who moved from Cavell Way, Sittingbourne to Burnt Oast Road, Boughton-under-Blean in 2009, said: “I’ve got four children and eight grandchildren and I want to protect them, as well as myself. I will need this testing and they may need it too.

“The test - and being certain what’s going to happen to me - will warn the whole family of what they can possibly expect.

“That piece of paper with the facts there will mean I can shout at my kids and make sure they go and get tested” - Barbara Harrison

“That piece of paper with the facts there will mean I can shout at my kids and make sure they go and get tested.”

Mrs Harrison says she has no doubt she will at some point have to face bowel cancer, having already suffered breast cancer a number of years ago.

She added: “I don’t let myself think I won’t get it, I just want my family, as well as me, to get regular testing. “That will save their lives.”

She is looking to trace her relatives father’s sister and brother Grace and Jim Mann, who she believes may have passed away by now.

She also has a cousin Henry Mann and uncle Sidney Mann, who may be alive today.

If you think you are a relative of Barbara’s, please call her on 01227 752801.

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