Hairstylist saves woman’s life by spotting new mole

A woman is crediting her hairdresser with saving her life after the stylist spotted something irregular while tending to her locks.

Eileen Corey, a former Health Correspondent for WKYC in Cleveland, was known for her red hair during her broadcast career in the 1980s, and has dutifully taken good care of them as the years have gone on.

Every month she visits her stylist Kari Phillips to touch up her color, so when there was something to be noticed on the back of Eileen’s head during a recent appointment, Kari was in a special position – literally – to raise the alarm.

 

A red flag: Former reporter for WKYC in Cleveland, Eileen Corey, has credited her hairstylist for saving her life after she spotted a mole on her scalp

Helping out: Kari Phillips has been looking after Eileen's hair for more than 15 years

Helping out: Kari Phillips has been looking after Eileen’s hair for more than 15 years

Kari, who has been looking after Eileen’s hair for more than 15 years now, was touching up her clients roots as she always does when she spotted a large, flat mole.

Given her familiarity with Eileen’s scalp, Kari knew that it had shown up quite suddenly – and therefore could be a cause for concern. 

Having a skin doctor for a sister, Kari recommended that Eileen go straight to her dermatologist and get it checked out.

Marks the spot: During one of her regular monthly appointments, Kari spotted a mole that had quite suddenly appeared on Eileen's head

Marks the spot: During one of her regular monthly appointments, Kari spotted a mole that had quite suddenly appeared on Eileen’s head

Quick action: Kari told Eileen she should get the mole checked out, so she headed straight to her dermatologist

Quick action: Kari told Eileen she should get the mole checked out, so she headed straight to her dermatologist

Smooth move: Luckily, the melanoma was caught early and will just need surgery to remove

Smooth move: Luckily, the melanoma was caught early and will just need surgery to remove

Eileen heeded her stylist’s advice and headed to the doctor who revealed that the spot was indeed a melanoma. 

Luckily, Eileen’s quick action – thanks to Kari’s keen eye – meant that the melanoma hadn’t infiltrated past her skin.

‘If you’re gonna have melanoma, it’s the best melanoma to have,’ Eileen told her former news station. 

The news meant that Eileen would just need a minor surgery in order to remove the mark, rather than any chemotherapy or the like. 

Spreading the word: As a former broadcaster, Eileen decided to use the opportunity to spread awareness

Spreading the word: As a former broadcaster, Eileen decided to use the opportunity to spread awareness

Humble: Kari claims that Eileen saved her own life by going to the doctor so quickly

Humble: Kari claims that Eileen saved her own life by going to the doctor so quickly

Eileen has since praised Kari for having ‘bought me time’ and likely saving her life. She also decided to use the opportunity to spread the word about asking a stylist to keep an eye out. 

Dr. Pam Davis, Eileen’s dermatologist, also added to the station that it is best to ask for stylists to look while the hair is wet. 

As for Kari, she claims that Eileen saved her own life because the minute she heard about the spot ‘she did something about it’ when many people may have ignored the spot.

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