Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton has opened up about her skin cancer diagnosis last year, shedding light on the dangers of sun exposure and tanning practices.
At 42, the singer underwent treatment for Basal-cell carcinoma on her back – a condition she discovered after noticing an itchy red mole following a holiday. Speaking with Scott McGlynn on ‘Celebrity Skin Talk’, Natasha reflected on the ordeal calling it a “massive wake-up call”.
She linked the condition to her use of sunbeds during the 90s, a time when such practices were common without awareness of the potential risks.
The ‘Whole Again’ hitmaker said: “I actually had skin cancer last year. I had a Basal-cell carcinoma removed from my back, and it was a massive wake-up call for me. It was like, ‘Oh.'”
Natasha added: “I have burnt my back so much over the years, and I used sunbeds when I was younger, you know, back in the 90s, it was like everyone used a sunbed before you went on your night out on a Saturday, and the repercussions of that is now I have to be super vigilant in the sun, like I need to have my high factors on, I can’t be burning. I have to check my skin religiously for changes in like moles and freckles.”
She continued: “And, you know, there have been things since then that have come up, and I’ve had to go and have a look, you know, the microscope on and keeping an eye on a few things. So, like a massive wake-up call, and I’m just a big advocate now – get your SPF on! Protect your skin!”
Natasha said that the health scare has made her realise she’s “not invincible”. The singer said: “I’m fine, honestly. It was found, it was cut away and, yeah, we move on. But it was a, kind of, ‘Oh, I’m not invincible’ moment. These things do happen to you sometimes, and you’ve just got to look after yourself.”
Natasha is now advocating for the safety of “young girls and boys” who frequent sunbeds, expressing her desire for them to be outlawed in the UK.
The chart-topping artist remarked: “Even though it’s 18 or over, you’re still a kid. You still don’t understand the consequences. So, yeah, I would call for them to be banned, but that’s probably not a popular opinion – but it’s mine!”
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