Trip to Hair Stylist a Lifesaving Move
Posted on February 7, 2013
This article was printed originally in the Letters to the Editor section of the Springfield Republican of January 8, 2013. Michael Scheer is the husband of HNE Director of Quality Operations Pat Scheer, who suggested we publish this in our newsletter because “The message can save a life.”
Trip to Hair Stylist a Lifesaving Move
In October, I went for my monthly haircut with Linda Owsiak at New Beginnings Hair Salon in East Longmeadow.
Linda has been cutting my hair for years. During the cut, Linda informed me that she had observed a large, flat, discolored area on my scalp that had not been there during my previous haircut one month before.
A prompt visit to the dermatologist identified the area as a malignant melanoma. I soon learned that melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer because it has the tendency to spread rapidly. Melanoma of the scalp is the most dangerous simply because it usually goes undetected. We notice abnormalities on the parts of our bodies we can see, but we cannot see under our hair.
Thankfully, three months and two surgeries later, I am cancer-free thanks to early detection due to Linda’s diligence and willingness to speak up.
I am writing this letter to increase awareness that the hair stylist can be our first line of defense against cancer of the scalp. I urge readers to request that their hair stylist/barber/hair dresser check their scalp each time they go for a styling.
I am also asking hair stylists to offer this quick, simple service to their customers and to speak up if they see anything unusual. Linda did, and my family and I will be forever grateful.
– MICHAEL SCHEER, Longmeadow
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