People usually think of doctors and nurses when they think about preventing cancer. Yet some of the most effective health messages may come from places that have nothing to do with hospitals.
A new study suggests that one of those places could be your neighborhood barbershop.
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth have found that barbers may have an important role to play in helping prevent skin cancer among men.
The idea may sound unusual at first, but scientists believe that barbers are in an ideal position to start conversations about sun safety and encourage customers to pay attention to changes in their skin.
Skin cancer is now the most common cancer in the United Kingdom. Cases have increased steadily over recent decades. Experts estimate that almost 90 percent of cases are linked to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
One reason skin cancer is so common is that people often underestimate their exposure to sunlight. Even when temperatures are cool or skies are cloudy, ultraviolet radiation can still reach the skin and cause damage. This damage builds up over many years and increases the risk of cancer.
The head and neck are particularly vulnerable. More than 80 percent of skin cancers occur in these areas because they are exposed to sunlight almost every day. However, many people forget to apply sunscreen to their ears, neck, and scalp. Some people also have difficulty checking these areas for unusual spots or changes.
Men may face an even greater challenge. They are often less likely to seek preventive healthcare and may not regularly examine their skin. Researchers estimate that around one in four men in the United Kingdom will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.
Barbers see these vulnerable areas on a regular basis. They often notice the scalp, neck, and ears from angles that customers cannot easily see themselves. Because customers trust their barbers and visit them regularly, barbers may have opportunities to encourage healthy habits in a relaxed and familiar environment.
The researchers carried out their study in Portsmouth, a city with melanoma rates that are about one-third higher than the national average for England. They surveyed local barbers to learn about their own sun protection habits and whether they would be interested in becoming involved in skin cancer prevention.
The findings revealed considerable potential. More than half of the barbers said they would be willing to discuss sunscreen and sun protection with customers. More than one-third would consider selling sunscreen products in their shops. Around one-quarter said they would consider applying sunscreen to customers after a haircut.
Interestingly, no participating barbershop currently sold sunscreen products, and only a small number of barbers regularly talked about sun protection with customers. Nevertheless, the high level of interest suggests that barbershops could become valuable settings for public health education.
The study also found that barbers who regularly used sunscreen themselves were significantly more likely to discuss sun safety with their clients and express interest in doing so in the future. This finding highlights the importance of educating barbers about sun protection because informed barbers may be more likely to share that knowledge with their communities.
The research was published in the journal Skin Health and Disease. The findings build on previous public health initiatives in which barbershops have been used to promote mental health support, blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, and cancer awareness campaigns.
The researchers are already taking action. In June 2026, when ultraviolet radiation levels are highest in the United Kingdom, researcher Fleming will distribute 1,000 bottles of sunscreen free of charge to barbershops throughout Portsmouth. The goal is to make sunscreen easier to access and to make conversations about skin cancer prevention a normal part of everyday life.
An analysis of the study suggests that this approach could fill an important gap in public health. Traditional campaigns often struggle to reach certain groups, especially men who may avoid regular health checks. Barbershops offer trusted, familiar environments where simple health messages can be delivered naturally.
The study does not prove that barbers can reduce skin cancer rates, and future studies will need to examine real-world outcomes. However, the findings provide a promising example of how community businesses may become unexpected partners in disease prevention and health education.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about eating fish linked to higher risk of skin cancer, and Vitamin B3 could help prevent skin cancers.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vegetable oil linked to spread of cancer, and results showing Vitamin D could help treat skin inflammation.
Source: University of Portsmouth.
