A HAIR salon owner who has battled breast cancer and a brain tumour is offering free beauty treatments to others facing diagnosis.

Tracey Verrall, 48, who runs Nu-Vo Hair and Beauty in Holdenhurst Road, has teamed up with the charity, Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF), to host a special invitation-only pamper evening on October 19.

She said: "Having been diagnosed with cancer twice and undergoing incredible medical treatment here in Bournemouth, Poole and Southampton, I want to reach out to other cancer sufferers and do something to help.

"As a hairdresser, the best way I can do this is to offer some of my fellow cancer sufferers a few hours of relaxation, massage and gentle pampering in the company of others who are going through the same thing."

Mum-of-two Tracey was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and underwent chemotherapy before having the tumour and some of her lymph nodes removed, before going on to have radiotherapy.

She said: “My diagnosis came right in the middle of planning my son Liam’s wedding and my daughter Chantelle going to university and was obviously a terrible shock. But I continued to work all through my treatment because I found being at work, plus the support of my husband, my staff and my customers helped me cope."

When Tracey started getting headaches last year, she said that she put it down to the cancer treatment, but unfortunately scans revealed a secondary brain tumour.

She said: “It was removed the week before Christmas. I then had more radiotherapy before taking some time off to recover. Obviously, it has been a very stressful time.

“Because of the treatment I lost my hair, my eyebrows and my eyelashes not once, but twice.

“I think losing your hair is a real blow for all women and for me it was really upsetting, particularly as I work in an environment where hair is so important."

She added: "Cancer is a very frightening and depressing thing to go through, but talking to someone who understands - and a little pampering - can make a real difference."

For more information about the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF), go to Dccf.co.uk, email Nykke_dccf@outlook.com, or call Nykke Jones on: 07790 092291.