A new study from the University of Portsmouth suggests that hairdressers and barbers could play an important role in spotting the early signs of skin cancer. The research, led by Helen Fleming as part of her Master of Research (MRes) degree, involved 37 hairdressers and barbers from the city.
The findings showed that many of these professionals already notice suspicious moles or changes on their clients’ scalps, necks, and faces—areas that are often difficult for people to check themselves. This discovery suggests that with the right training and awareness, hairdressers and barbers could become valuable allies in the early detection of skin cancer.
The study, published in Skin Health and Disease, found that even though only 5% of hairdressers had received formal training, almost a quarter (24%) were regularly checking their clients for unusual skin changes.
Surprisingly, about one-third of the participants had advised a client to seek medical advice after noticing something concerning. Among those clients, 39% were later diagnosed with skin cancer. This shows just how crucial early observation can be.
Helen Fleming, who is now a Research Associate at the School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, explained that hairdressers and barbers are in a unique position to notice changes on parts of the body that are not easily visible to most people.
“Many of the participants in our study had already encouraged clients to seek medical advice after noticing something unusual. With simple training, they could become powerful advocates for early detection,” she said.
One major reason hairdressers and barbers did not screen for suspicious moles or skin lesions was a lack of training—65% of participants mentioned this as the main issue. Another 24% reported that they lacked the confidence to speak up even if they did notice something.
However, nearly all of them (92%) said they would like to learn more about how to recognize the signs of skin cancer.
The study also captured stories from hairdressers who had pointed out unusual skin changes to their clients. One hairdresser shared an experience where she showed a client a suspicious mole in the mirror. The client had not been aware of it before but went to get it checked out and was very grateful for the warning.
Another hairdresser spoke about a client who was already worried about moles on his head. After the hairdresser suggested he get them checked, he followed through, potentially catching a problem early.
The study’s findings are especially important for Portsmouth, where melanoma rates are about 26% higher than the national average in England.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, and melanoma, although less common than other types, is the most dangerous if not caught early. Early detection is crucial because it greatly improves the chances of successful treatment.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and this research highlights the importance of regular self-checks and sun protection. Figures show that almost 250,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, and that number continues to rise.
Helen Fleming hopes that her research will encourage not only the public but also hairdressers and barbers to understand the signs of skin cancer and take them seriously. “Spotting a suspicious mole and acting early can make a life-saving difference,” she emphasized.
Helen’s current project aims to investigate the skin cancer prevention practices of barbers in Portsmouth. She hopes that with more research, hair professionals could receive proper training to help identify warning signs of skin cancer.
This could lead to apprentice hairdressers and barbers receiving education on skin cancer awareness as part of their training, and established professionals might even receive free training.
The long-term goal is to make hairdressers and barbers a nationwide resource for head and neck skin cancer screenings. With proper knowledge, these professionals could help catch the signs of skin cancer early, improving survival rates and potentially reducing NHS treatment costs.
The study presents a unique opportunity to bring health awareness into everyday life through the simple act of getting a haircut.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about top signs of diabetic skin disease, and Mediterranean diet could help lower the skin cancer risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies about eating fish linked to higher risk of skin cancer, and results showing how to combat the effects of aging on your skin.
The research findings can be found in Skin Health and Disease.
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