Knutsford salon joins campaign to help detect skin cancer early

Roberta Beauty, a beauty salon in King Street, contacted Melanoma UK to arrange training with the therapists so that they could learn about detecting the illness.

Melanoma UK launched 'The Irene Parker Skin Safety Message’ campaign back in 2015 after a member of staff lost her mother to the disease.

Roberta Bradley, owner of Roberta Beauty, wanted her staff to get on board with the campaign.

She said: “We know that skin cancer kills seven people every 24 hours in the UK, so in the job that we do, we see our clients regularly and know there skin so we can often notice changes that occur.

“We got in contact with Melanoma UK to arrange some training with our therapists at the salon to know more about it and how to detect it. Catching melanoma early is key.

“We are committed to caring for clients’ skin but also helping prevent melanoma fatalities.”

Claire Dale from Melanoma UK launched the campaign in memory of her mother who died at the age of 63, two years after being diagnosed with advanced melanoma.

She said "I was inspired to set up this campaign after losing my mum, to melanoma on New Year’s Eve 2014.

“She was passionate about beauty, health and fitness. These industries deal with people’s skin every day and by raising skin awareness with clients they could save lives."

“Beauty, health and fitness industries across the UK have been supporting Melanoma UK. There have already been two early melanoma diagnoses in our local area as a direct result of this campaign.”

The campaign is calling for organisations to get in touch to become part of the programme and be a 'skin safe partner'.

They will also receive information and training from Melanoma UK on how to encourage their clients to be skin aware, good skin safety practices, what changes to look for in their client's skin and referral advice.

For those in the beauty, health and fitness industry who are interested contact claire.dale@melanomauk.org.uk or visit melanomauk.org.uk