A cancer charity is launching a new campaign in Alderley Edge next month calling for professionals to become 'skin safe partners'.
Melanoma UK, the country's leading melanoma charity, is kicking off the UK's first skin awareness campaign with the beauty, health and fitness industry at The Yard on Thursday October 1st.
An Alderley Edge mum of three has been inspired to set up the Skin Safe programme by her mum Irene Parker, an identical twin who was passionate about health, fitness and beauty and was an active member of her local gym.
Yet a mole on her waist was never spotted, even when it grew to a significant size and became darker. Like the majority of us, she was not aware of the signs of melanoma and so didn't visit a doctor until it had time to take hold.
Having been diagnosed with advanced melanoma in 2012, Irene died exactly two years later at the age of 63, leaving a huge hole in the lives of her family.
Following her death, one day her daughter Claire Dale was visiting the gym and a physio when it struck her that if the team of professionals her mother regularly saw had had any training on what to spot and had said something then her mother's melanoma would have been diagnosed far earlier and the outcome may have been so different.
Claire spoke with Melanoma UK about her idea and was delighted by their response in building this programme.
She explained "I decided to launch this campaign as I am constantly shocked at how little the beauty, health and fitness industry know about melanoma when they deal with skin every day and it is the fastest growing cancer in the UK. I have the full backing of Melanoma UK who are doing great work across the country."
More than a quarter of a million people are employed by hair salons, nail bars and gyms and see clients up-close on a regular basis. The charity believes that these professionals are placed perfectly to advise clients on how to check the health of their skin.
The campaign is calling for organisations to get in touch to become part of the programme and be a 'skin safe partner'. They will 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.
Beauty Boutique, in Alderley Edge was one of the first beauticians to sign-up to become 'skin safe'. Jenny Quarrell and Jenny Lennard, co-owners said "We feel this programme enables us to give our clients the best advice on the overall care for their skin. This is a welcome extension of the advice we give."
The launch party will be attended by local beauticians, hairdressers and physios, who have already agreed to become 'a skin safe partner', along with special guests. In addition to drinks, canapes and live music there will be a talk from Melanoma UK and a raffle offering the opportunity to win lots of beauty, health and fitness goodies.
Claire, 38, is hoping the skin awareness programme will become a national campaign and has already received a lot of emails from people across the country asking how to get involved.
After the launch Claire will be visiting beauticians, hairdressers and related professionals with a 'tool kit' for them to help spread skin awareness with their clients.
Gillian Nuttall, CEO, Melanoma UK said: "This programme fits with the Government's 2020 Skin Cancer Vision which looks to make positive steps in skin cancer. One vital issue that has been identified is how to improve early detection of melanoma. I believe our skin safe partner programme can make a huge difference."
The Skin Awareness launch party will start at 7.30pm on Thursday, 1st October and tickets costing £20 are available from Sadie on 01625 586963.
