Skin cancer screening practices of UK hairdressers and barbers for their customers: a preliminary study

Background: Head-and-neck skin cancers have a worse prognosis than those which develop elsewhere on the body. Self-screening this area for suspicious skin changes can be difficult. Hairdressers and barbers closely observe this area during hair appointments and could bring their customers’ attention to suspicious skin changes earlier.

Objective: To investigate a sample of UK hairdressers’ and barbers’ skin cancer education, customer screening practices, influences on screening, and to compare hairdressers’ and barbers’ screening practices.

Method: Stratified random sampling was utilised to select hairdressers and barbers working in a UK city. Participants were invited to complete a survey.
Results. Thirty-seven participants completed the survey. Five percent reported having had skin cancer awareness training, 24% were screening customers. Thirty-five percent had advised a customer of a suspicious mole or skin lesion, and of these participants, 39% had had customers diagnosed with skin cancer. ‘Not having received training’ was reported by 65% of participants as a deterrent to screening. Knowing someone who had experienced skin cancer was significantly associated with screening and advising customers of suspicious skin changes. Most participants (92%) indicated they would like or maybe like skin cancer awareness training.

Conclusion: In this UK city study, perceived knowledge of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer appeared to arise from knowing someone who had experienced skin cancer rather than formal training. Lack of skin cancer education was a deterrent to screening, but most participants would like training. Trained hairdressers and barbers could potentially provide regular head-and-neck skin screening for customers.