PICTURE CAPTION: Skin Cancer Care Coordinator Michelle Forsyth and Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist Joan DeVega with Curriculum Manger, Beauty and Related Therapies, Carolyn Robinson with hairdressing staff and students at Blackpool and The Fylde College, Bispham campus
A Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust team has hosted a special workshop to raise awareness of skin cancer.
The Skin Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection (MASCED) accreditation is being offered to all hairdressers and beauty therapists across the UK, and on the Fylde coast by Skin Cancer Care Coordinator, Michelle Forsyth.
Michelle and the Trust’s skin cancer team, based at Clifton Hospital, held a full day of accreditation sessions for Beauty and Related Therapies students at Blackpool and The Fylde College’s Bispham Campus.
Michelle said: “It has been great to work with Blackpool and The Fylde College and get so many people accredited.
“The programme has been put together to encourage therapists and stylists to become aware of a possible skin cancer they may see on their clients and to appropriately refer them to a GP. The more people we can sign up to the scheme, the more lives may be saved.”
Nearly 90 people gained their accreditation at the College in one day. The workshop teaches how to recognise changes in the skin and how to encourage clients to get those changes checked out.
Carolyn Robinson, Blackpool and The Fylde College’s Curriculum Manager in Beauty and Related Therapies, said: “It’s brilliant that our students are taking part in these sessions, which will provide them with important additional skills as they enter the hair and beauty sector.
“Through the nature of their work, they are in a privileged position where they may see something on a client which may otherwise have gone unnoticed.
“Now, if they notice a skin condition which may require medical attention, they can advise clients and signpost them to the correct medical professional in a supportive and caring way.
“Not only are the students going away with this accreditation and certificate today, our tutors are taking part too to increase their own skills and knowledge.”
Skcin, (the Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity) designed and offered this training and supplied the free resource. Michelle is Ambassdor for Skcin, helping to raise awareness through promotion, prevention and early detection and campaigning for change.
If you are interested in becoming accredited, please email Michelle.Forsyth@nhs.net for further information.