## Hairdresser’s Keen Eye Leads to Life-Saving Cancer Discovery for Lincolnshire Mum
A mother-of-two from Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, is urging others to take sun safety seriously after her hairdresser’s vigilance led to the discovery of a malignant mole on her scalp. Michaela Peacock, 35, credits her stylist for potentially saving her life by noticing changes in a hidden growth that had gone unnoticed by both herself and her family.
Michaela, who works both as an aesthetics clinic owner and as a cancer nurse, first became aware of a lump on her scalp while idly rubbing her head during an evening in front of the television. Curiosity led her to ask her husband, Oliver, to have a look. His response – that there was a visible mole – prompted Michaela to consult both her mother and, crucially, her regular hairdresser, someone who regularly sees her scalp close-up.
After sending a photograph to her hairdresser, Michaela was advised that the mole appeared darker and larger than during her last appointment. Encouraged to seek medical advice, Michaela acted promptly. A visit to her GP led to an urgent referral to North West Anglia Hospital in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. There, the mole was removed and sent for biopsy.
The diagnosis that followed several weeks later confirmed Michaela’s fears: she had stage 1a melanoma, a form of skin cancer most often linked to prolonged sun exposure or severe sunburns. Although Michaela has never used tanning beds, she admits to not being diligent with sun protection in her youth and recalls severe sunburns in her teenage years – a risk factor doctors stated could have contributed to her condition emerging 20 years later.
Reflecting on her experience, Michaela admits the diagnosis came as a shock. “Melanoma caught early is very treatable and curable, but when you hear the word ‘cancer’, you think of death,” she shared. Now in the midst of waiting for further results from biopsies of moles on her stomach and inside her lip, Michaela expresses intense anxiety about exposure to sunlight, confessing it sometimes makes her feel as though she would rather avoid daylight altogether.
Michaela’s ordeal has strengthened her resolve to educate others about the dangers of sun damage. She now applies SPF protection daily and dons a hat and sunglasses whenever venturing outdoors, especially on sunny days. The former casual attitude towards tanning has been replaced by a mission to raise awareness, keen to “scare” people if needed about the real threats of skin cancer. “People don’t realise melanoma is deadly. I hear people say ‘it’s only skin cancer’ – what a foolish thing to say.”
NHS advice reinforces the importance of sun safety, noting that risk factors for melanoma include having fair skin, numerous moles, and a family history of the illness. Sunburn, particularly during childhood or teenage years, drastically increases the risk, even if it’s only happened once. Ultraviolet rays from both natural sunlight and artificial sources like sunbeds are the primary culprits.
For individuals who spend extended periods outdoors or are worried about their moles, regular checks either personally or by trusted professionals like hairdressers can make a crucial difference. Michaela’s story serves as a timely reminder that vigilance and proactive healthcare can prevent potentially fatal outcomes.
The importance of seeking professional medical advice at the first sign of change cannot be overstated. For Michaela, a simple conversation with her hairdresser and early intervention meant detecting her melanoma at a stage where treatment is most effective. Her ongoing campaign for sun awareness is not just motivated by her own experience, but by a hope to spare others similar fears.
As the summer months approach, Michaela’s message resonates even more powerfully: “Wear your SPF, don’t expose skin unnecessarily, and never assume skin cancer is something minor. It could just save your life.”