It’s widely accepted that the battle against cancer continues beyond the hospital gates.

A little positive thinking goes a long way and many experts even believe that brain power may not only ease mental trauma but also stop diseased cells spreading, increasing your chance of survival.

There’s even a whole strain of research devoted to the subject – psychoneuroimmunology, which analyses the effect that the mind and emotions have on the immune system.

So you can fight cancer with confidence if you cover health AND wellbeing in your recovery plan. And although confidence is key, even the most positive person can struggle when chemotherapy and radiotherapy starts. The side effect of alopecia can make patients feel like they are losing their identity, as well their hair.

“I see it often – too often,” said Vicki Steventon, salon manager at Rage Hair in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

“Regular clients phone up and say ‘I have cancer, what should I do with my hair?’ It’s heart-breaking.”

In the past Vicki and her husband Terry have overseen many a close crop to help ease the shock of sudden hair loss.

Cutting hair short stops big clumps coming out in one go, in the shower for example, which can cause huge upset to the patient.

“I was once stopped in my car by a very brave lady who told me she had cancer and her husband was going to shave her head,” Vicki said.

“She was very matter-of-fact.”

The My New Hair project, helmed by hairdressing legend Trevor Sorbie, then came to Vicki’s attention. It’s a non-profit service for clients suffering medical hair loss for any reason and offers advice and wig customisation.

In fact, it is the only hairdressing Sorbie now does. It’s very admirable for someone so successful to launch a charitable project, but also a concept that brings together the latest hairdressing techniques and equipment to make a real difference to patients’ lives.

He even goes into salons as an ‘assistant’ for fundraising purposes – sweeping up the hair, making the tea, just like a salon junior.

“I feel my incredible career to date has led me to this moment, this opportunity to help people and I am so grateful that I have the skills to pull this off,” he said.

“My New Hair isn’t just about hair, it’s psychological medicine for women suffering from hair loss through illness and for many of the women I have seen it’s the missing link in their treatment.”

Rage Hair sent one of its most talented stylists, Vicky Connor, to the My New Hair training, which takes place in a series of workshops.

“It’s not just about the wig-cutting techniques,” Vicky explains.

“The training also includes role-play to help you talk to patients about their treatment, make them feel comfortable.

“It helps to be empathetic as a hairdresser – people will talk to you about all sorts when they are sat in the salon chair!

“But this training takes that empathy to the next level. Everyone is different. Some people want to talk about their treatment, some don’t.

“Some will be reluctant to even put on the wig, to accept that change. It’s our job to help them regain their identity.”

To find out more, contact Rage Hair on 01202 589756.