'THE WORD CANCER IS SCARY - I'M SO GLAD I SPOTTED THE SIGNS'

Natasha Hamilton's career change helped her notice the warning signs of skin cancer on her mum, Maria.

- DAWN COLLINSON

After over 20 years in the pop industry, Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton needed a new challenge and decided to train as a skin care specialist.

One of the skills she picked up during her training was how to spot the danger signs of skin cancer.

So when she was giving her mum Maria a facial and noticed an unusual patch of skin on her forehead, it set alarm bells ringing in Natasha’s mind.

"I saw this mark, about half the size of a penny," recalls Natasha. "It wasn't a mole, just a slightly raised, dry, scaly patch of skin that looked a little bit sore. I said, 'Mum, that wasn't there last time I saw you how long have you had it?'

"She said it just came and went, and wasn't causing her any pain or getting in the way of anything.