SCAN Project Empowers Cosmetologists in Early Skin Cancer Detection

“Cosmetologists and hairdressers are the people seeing our scalp, seeing within our hairline, that no one else is seeing, looking at our face every day. They get little to no training in skin cancer... so we created this program to help them recognize these issues early. The earlier we can intervene, the better,” said Bree Vanleeuwen, PA-C, in an interview with Dermatology Times.

In the recent interview conducted by Dermatology Times’ Editorial Advisory Board member, Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, fellow physician assistants Vanleeuwen and Jim Sutton of Utah Valley University discussed the Skin Cancer Awareness (SCAN) project—a unique initiative to train cosmetologists and hairdressers to recognize suspicious skin lesions and refer clients for dermatologic evaluation.

Funded by the SCAN Grant, SCAN has expanded from Utah to neighboring states, with the aim of launching chapters nationwide. As they prepare to present at the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) conference in Las Vegas, Vanleeuwen and Sutton share how SCAN leverages community-based professionals for early detection, empowering these frontline observers to improve patient outcomes in skin cancer prevention and awareness.

The goal of the SCAN program is dedicated to training cosmetologists, estheticians, and hairdressers to identify suspicious skin lesions on clients and refer them for further evaluation by dermatology professionals. Their goal is to educate these professionals who routinely observe skin up-close but often lack formal skin cancer awareness training. SCAN’s approach leverages the natural frequency of client visits, aiming to catch skin cancers early in populations that are less likely to see a dermatologist regularly.

Initially limited to hairdressers in Utah, SCAN has expanded to include cosmetologists across nearby states, with over 1200 professionals certified to date. Vanleeuwen and Sutton highlighted that, beyond Utah, their objective is to establish SCAN chapters across the United States, in collaboration with other universities. Their process now includes large-scale training sessions at cosmetology schools, ensuring new practitioners are equipped with foundational knowledge on skin cancer identification from the outset. They noted that by working with institutions rather than individuals, they can educate larger groups and build lasting partnerships, making it easier to return to teach new cohorts regularly.

During the conversation, Vanleeuwen and Sutton mentioned their upcoming presentation at the SDPA Fall conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, next week. At this meeting, they plan to discuss the SCAN project’s impact and explore the next steps, including potentially gathering more structured data on the outcomes of their training efforts. Vanleeuwen shared that while they have received anecdotal success stories—where trained professionals detected skin cancers and saved lives—they are keen to collect systematic follow-up data post-certification. This data could demonstrate SCAN’s long-term effectiveness and potentially justify further funding and expansion.

In discussing their motivations, Vanleeuwen emphasized a personal commitment to preventive care, which aligns with her background in dermatology and her work promoting sunscreen use through a personal venture. Sutton highlighted that Utah’s high melanoma incidence, likely influenced by high altitude and outdoor culture, further underscores the need for such proactive measures. Both expressed deep satisfaction in merging clinical and educational roles to contribute meaningfully to community health.

Vanleeuwen and Sutton acknowledged challenges, particularly in establishing community connections and engaging cosmetology schools. Initial “cold-calling” to set up partnerships proved daunting, but once they demonstrated SCAN’s benefits to both cosmetology students and schools, uptake became more consistent. They attribute their success to the academic resources at Utah Valley University, including student interns who assist with training and outreach. They encouraged other physician assistants to initiate similar projects, advising that a strong sense of mission and commitment to community needs is vital for long-term impact.

Through SCAN, Vanleeuwen and Sutton are fostering a new approach to community-based skin cancer detection, with the hope that their work will help reduce skin cancer rates nationally. Their efforts illustrate the powerful role non-dermatology professionals can play in early detection, ultimately improving patient outcomes.