Mum-of-two wants to find stranger who 'saved her life' in work meeting
Emma Hawke was at a work meeting when a dermatologist she had never met before spotted a suspicious mole on her arm and urged her to get it checked.
She was subsequently diagnosed with melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer.
Cancer researcher Emma Hawke was at a work meeting when a doctor spotted a suspicious mole on her arm (Image: Cancer Research UK)
Emma, a 42-year-old mother-of-two from Eastleigh, said: "I was watching TV when the phone rang. I thought it was going to be a family member calling, but it was the hospital.
"My melanoma diagnosis was a huge shock and I immediately expected to need chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
"My sons were just five and eight at the time and I feared they were going to see me becoming really poorly.
'Thankfully it was caught early enough to be managed with surgery and it hadn't spread to my lymph nodes.
"I do have a scar on my arm where they had to take a large enough area of skin to safely remove all the cancerous cells, but I would have gone through so much more treatment or worse had I left it.
"I would love to find the doctor who spotted it and say thanks for saving my life."
Former skin cancer patient Emma Hawke is urging people to stay safe by using plenty of sun cream (Image: Getty Images)
Emma is also working to raise awareness of skin cancer. She has joined forces with Cancer Research UK and NIVEA Sun to encourage people across the south to seek shade, cover up, and apply sunscreen regularly.
"Awareness of the risks of UV radiation was low when I was younger, and I'd put oil on try to look tanned like the popstars of the 90s," she said.
'Now, I make sure I'm covered up and take some time out of the sun in the middle of the day as well as always being prepared with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
"Sun safety doesn't mean missing out, just being careful whether you're at home or abroad.'
READ MORE: Southampton cancer vaccine trial expands for melanoma patients
Cancer Research UK health information manager Beth Vincent added: "Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer compared to never being burnt.
"Even on a cloudy day, the sun can be strong enough to burn between mid-March and mid-October."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Starmer urged to engage with Scotland over Gaza evacuations
The Prime Minister has been urged to engage with Scotland on evacuating injured children from Gaza who would otherwise be 'left to die'. First Minister John Swinney wrote to Sir Keir Starmer earlier this month, saying Scotland 'stands ready' to receive some of the 2,000 children from Gaza injured as a result of the Israeli bombardment of the territory, to be treated in the NHS. But Mr Swinney claims to have received no response from the Prime Minister. In a statement to the PA news agency, Mr Swinney said: 'It is deeply saddening that so far the UK Government has refused to even enter into a dialogue about medical evacuations for children in Gaza who, without proper medical attention, will be left to die. 'That is the frank reality of life in Gaza under Israeli bombardment and blockade. 'The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of total collapse, with surgeons working day and night under artillery fire, with inadequate supplies and often no electricity. 'We know that many hospitals have been targeted and decimated by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces).' The First Minister added that Scotland is prepared 'to do what is required to save the lives of as many of these kids as we can'. His initial call came after a meeting with children's charity Unicef, prompting him to declare a 'race against time' to help children in need of urgent medical care. 'But we can't do so without the support of the Labour Government to get the children through the UK visa system and into Scotland,' he said. 'The suffering, torment and killing of the people of Gaza has gone on for far too long. 'I urge the Prime Minister to urgently engage with the Scottish Government on this issue so we can save as many young lives as we can.' A spokeswoman for the UK Government said: 'Since the start of the conflict, UK support has provided essential healthcare to over 430,000 people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 'We have helped several children with complex paediatric conditions access privately funded medical care in the UK, supporting an initiative by Project Pure Hope. 'We have been clear the situation in Gaza is intolerable and that there must be an immediate ceasefire. 'We urge Israel to let vital humanitarian aid in and allow Gazans to receive urgent healthcare, including allowing the sick and wounded to temporarily leave the Gaza Strip to receive treatment.'
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Miracle' five years since twins' Covid coma birth
A doctor whose twins were delivered prematurely while she was in a coma says the five years since have been like a series of "miracles unfolding". Dr Perpetual Uke, a rheumatology consultant at Birmingham City Hospital, was placed into an induced coma after catching Covid-19 before her twins were delivered by Caesarean section at 26 weeks on 10 April 2020. She came around 16 days later, convinced her twins were dead, before hospital staff told her they were alive. The twins turned five years old in April and both have learned to walk and talk, which Dr Uke said was something she "cherished". "I just hope for the best because everything about it has been miracles unfolding, just like how you turn the pages of your book," she said. Dr Uke said she was at high-risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid but continued to work during the pandemic because she felt a duty of care to her patients. After catching the disease, Dr Uke was admitted to the hospital's critical care unit, placed on a ventilator and put in an induced coma to help her recover. When they were born, her daughter weighed just 770g (27oz) while her brother, weighed 850g (30oz). Dr Uke's husband Matthew said he had conflicting emotions when his children were born. "If the twins are there - where is my wife? Because by then, it was not certain she was going to come out of her coma," he said. "Am I going to have to care for the twins alone? It was a very difficult moment." Dr Uke recalled the "surreal" experience of waking and how she found it difficult to believe her children were alive, until she saw them for the first time. Despite what her husband described as the "grind" of the past five years, Dr Uke said her outlook had become more positive. "We are very glad, happy and joyous because of what they've achieved and are going to achieve in the future," she said. Mr Uke described 2020 as like "being in a dark moment" and 2025 was "like being in the sunshine". "We are very happy and we're very thankful to the NHS, to all the people who cared for them and that continue to care for them," he said. "They're wonderful. Their dedication and passion are off the charts. All the people who work in the NHS - they are special." Dr Uke has since written a book about the family's story called Covid Coma to Twin Birth: Threads of Miracles, which she hoped would help others going through difficult times. "If you have ever, in any situation in your life, felt the weight of the unknown in a difficult moment, just hold on to hope," she said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Pregnant doctor felt 'duty of care' during pandemic Twins born to Covid-19 coma patient turn one Twins born to Covid-19 patient in coma Related internet links Birmingham Women's Hospital
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Powerful story' of triple amputee shared at RAF Brize Norton event day
An event held at RAF Brize Norton heard from a triple amputee injured in the line of duty as he told his "powerful story". Mark Ormrod MBE, a veteran who lost both legs and an arm while serving as a Royal Marine in 2007 and who is now an athlete, author and motivational speaker, spoke at the Carterton base's Resilience Day hosted by the Tactical Medical Wing. His "powerful story of resilience" resonated with the team and encouraged reflection and conversation on how personnel can better support themselves and each other. READ MORE: Westgate Oxford man who 'fled on rooftop' charged and named Mr Ormrod said: "Today was not only a huge honour for me but it was also a bit of a full circle moment. "17 years after having my life saved in Afghanistan by the Medical Emergency Response Team I had the privilege of sharing my story with them. Mark Ormrod and Group Captain Charlotte Thompson at the resilience day event, RAF Brize Norton (Image: RAF Brize Norton / Paul Crouch) "What made it extra special was that one of the medics primarily responsible for saving my life Group Captain Charlie Thompson was able to be there to tell part of the story from her perspective. "The Veteran owned company I'm part of also got to delivery a resilience workshop to the team with many of the lesson born from the experiences and lessons we learned from leading and operating in combat." Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get: Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app The day also included a human performance workshop and concluded with a physically demanding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu session, lead by RAF Brize Norton coaches, pushing participants outside their comfort zones. This offered the team both a physical challenge and "a valuable opportunity for stress release, camaraderie, and laughter" according to the air base. Group Captain Charlotte Thompson ARRC KHN, AH Med Pers and training and director of nursing services said: "I commend the Tactical Medical Wing for recognising the importance of resilience training within their squadron. "In the context of ongoing conflict in Europe and the immense pressure on medical services, equipping personnel with effective coping strategies, and the ability to recognise signs of stress in others, is absolutely essential. READ MORE: Oxford bridge cordoned off by police in incident "It was a pleasure to reconnect with Mark Ormrod today, a former patient of mine from Operation Herrick. Mark Ormrod and Group Captain Charlotte Thompson sharing their story at the event (Image: RAF Brize Norton / Paul Crouch) "Despite the life-changing injuries he sustained, his inspirational talk offered powerful insights into resilience and mental strength. "I also applaud RAF Brize Norton for supporting this vital training, which should be made available to all personnel." Resilience lead for the Operations Squadron, Sergeant Danielle Thorpe-Gray, EM Nurse added: "One of my key priorities has been to create development opportunities that invest in the wellbeing of our personnel. READ MORE: Cause of devasting house fire found in Oxfordshire village "Our aim is to equip our highly skilled clinicians with practical mental and physical tools to help them thrive in high-pressure environments, while also strengthening team cohesion. "Yesterday's Resilience Day was a reflection of that commitment. We were honoured to be joined by Mark Ormrod, whose powerful story of resilience deeply resonated with the team." RAF Brize Norton regularly hosts this kind of initiative to maintain the wellbeing and operational readiness of teams.
