A Peckham hair salon is helping Black women with cancer support after it emerged that ethnic minorities were less likely to get checked for breast cancer.
Peckham Palms is one of several hairdressers across South East London committed to becoming cancer support hubs.
‘The Beauty of Support’ project, organised by cancer charity Macmillan, means participating salons are places where women can access leaflets, advice and be signposted to other services.
This fresh approach was devised after a 2021 NHS review found that areas with higher proportions of non-white British ethnicities were less likely to attend potentially life-saving breast cancer screening appointments.
Hype Coiffure, in Battersea, run by owner Calvin Rattray, has also played a key role in the project.
Cyndi Anafo, co-director of Peckham Palms, said: “A lot of Black hairdressers and women in the community are already starting a conversation about cancer awareness.
“I would urge hairdressers to get in contact with Macmillan so they can give credible signposting to information. It’s a fantastic way to help others understand what they can access from Macmillan.”
