Launching during Skin Cancer Action Week, November 17 to 23, the campaign aims to educate barbers on recognising potential warning signs of skin cancer and melanoma, particularly on areas such as the scalp, neck and ears that clients may struggle to examine themselves.
With regular appointments and established client relationships, barbers are uniquely positioned to notice changes and encourage clients to seek medical advice.
As part of the initiative, American Crew barbershops across Australia will receive an educational booklet developed with the Foundation, outlining potential warning signs and providing guidance on how to approach conversations with clients when something appears unusual.
Bringing Skin Cancer Awareness to the Barber’s Chair
The campaign will culminate in a special activation at AC Flo Bondi on Wednesday, November 18, featuring American Crew International All Star Lino D’Adderio.
Lino will provide haircuts and scalp observations, while the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation’s mobile Skin Check Truck will be stationed nearby at Bondi Park, offering professional skin cancer checks.
“It’s an honour to be part of such an important campaign, one that will have a lasting impact on the barbering industry and on real lives,” Lino said. “This is why I became a barber: to give men the confidence to face life. By providing an initial assessment and suggesting a medical check, we can also now help save lives, one client at a time.”
The initiative highlights the role barbers can play in raising awareness and encouraging early detection, without replacing professional medical assessments.
Why Early Detection Matters
According to figures cited by the campaign from Cancer Council, two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, with men’s lifetime risk eight percentage points higher than women’s.
Melanoma also claims between 1,300 and 1,400 Australian lives each year, reinforcing the importance of awareness and timely medical assessment.
“As a two-time skin cancer survivor, I take every opportunity I can to raise awareness of this terrible disease,” Jay said. “Bringing the Mobile Truck to Bondi Beach with American Crew opens the door for many more customers to learn about our work, and helps us keep spreading the word.”
Founded in 2021, the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation works to improve awareness, patient support and access to skin checks through initiatives including its mobile screening clinics.
A New Opportunity for the Barbering Industry
For Australian barbers, ‘Mate, Check Your Head!’ demonstrates how routine grooming appointments can also create opportunities for conversations about health and wellbeing.
By equipping barbers with practical information and encouraging clients to seek professional assessment when necessary, American Crew hopes to make skin cancer awareness a more regular part of the barbering conversation.
The campaign launches nationally during Skin Cancer Action Week, November 17 to 23, with the Bondi activation taking place on November 18.
