Skin Cancer Awareness
Posted on 8th July 2021 at 12:07
For several years Training Solutions Group, partnered with Skcin, a skin cancer awareness charity. Their goal is to raise awareness, of skin cancer through education, they have a wide-reaching network and programme that includes visiting schools, nurseries, colleges, workplaces, and appearances on TV.
It is worthwhile reviewing comes keys facts about skin cancer (provided by Skcin.org)
• Skin Cancer is the UK’s most common and fastest rising cancer.
• Over 16,000 cases of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) are diagnosed annually in the UK
• Over 210,000 cases of non-melanoma are diagnosed annually in the UK.
• According to Cancer Research UK, 1 in 36 males and 1 in 47 females will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime and it is one of the biggest killing cancers in the 15-34 age group.
It is important to note that ‘up to 90% of skin cancers, are preventable by adopting simple sun safe strategies. Skin cancer is also the only cancer we can physically see developing in its early stages and if detected, diagnosed, and treated early enough, almost all cases are curable.’
In the current climate, understandably, there is statistically less people visiting their GP and hospital for ‘routine medical conditions’. However, we are being continuously encouraged not to ignore any signs of anything that you feel doesn’t seem quite right! Although there is still lots of us try to put these things to the back of our to do list. It is charities like Skcin who are there reminding us to get things checked out! Early Detection is KEY!
The focus is on early detection, the earlier any abnormalities are noticed and acted upon the better. In order understand what has changed you do need to make sure you check and crucially check regularly, once a month is recommended; early detection is the key factor, and Skcin have an enhanced explanation about how to this that can be found here https://www.skcin.org/sunSafetyAndPrevention/howToCheckYourSkin.htm
Thinking about this more from the perspective as a hair and beauty professionals (in the bracket I mean the all-encompassing industry that is now known as ‘personal care’) we are in a unique situation with our clients in that we are often up close and personal and see some areas of our clints body that they may not see themselves, at least not easily.
Many professionals would have on more than one occasion noticed something different or that has changed while performing their treatment or services for example; in the hair, scalp when cutting hair, in the bed of a nail when providing a nail treatment, the lid of a eye when closed for lash services or on the back of client when providing a massage- these are largely areas that we pay little attention to or can’t see on ourselves. But as Hair and Beauty professionals, we are in close proximity and generally looking these areas in much more detail than a person may do them self.
I know as a hairdresser myself; I have referred several clients to see a GP or dermatologist over may career, as I have noticed changes to areas of the scalp, or the backs of ears; many have been nothing to worry about but on a couple of occasions they have been the early stages of skin cancer and thanks to me noticing something different and referring the client for specialist advice, as hair and beauty professional I have been key in that early detection meaning early interventions have taken place. Training Solutions is committed to expanding the knowledge and skill set not only of our team but the Hair and Beauty sector as a whole and as part of the commitment all our education and support team have completed the MASCED (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection) programme. This is a national accredited course aimed at professionals working in close proximity to the general public to help them be a more proactive part of that early detection process, not diagnosing but noticing change and encouraging clienst to follow this up. The course is informative, cost effective, interactive, in our mind essential training. It is delivered online, at a time and pace that works with you; it enhances your knowledge and really gives you the confidence and greater understanding on the subject of skin cancer and what to look out for when working on clients. Remembering we are not able to diagnose as we are not medical professionals, but we can and must take steps to be a part of that early detection!
Some tips for you and your teams:
Book on to the MASCED (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection) training, it is great value and very informative
Have a team meeting and talk to other professionals, and your clients, about what to look for
Work out a small list of hints and tips you could share, in addition the fab information provided by Sckin ideas could include.
Apply sun protection on the parting and fringe line, tops of ears and back of neck not forgetting the face and forehead even when its overcast
Always use suitable products to help protect the hair. (with UV Filters in)
Wear a hat or head covering
Reapply sun protection regularly and always after swimming ( don’t forget the areas above)
Be extra cautions of your forehead and neck if you usually wear your hair down a lot or have a fringe.
We all have our part to play – enjoy the summer but take care of the sun !
For more information on MASCED (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection) nationally accredited program for hair and beauty professionals follow this link: https://masced.uk/ the training is £20 per person, use the code TRAININGSOL2021 to receive 10% discount on the course.
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