A conversation at a local salon led one woman to get screened and collect $500 for prioritizing her health
LCFA’s Salon-Based Program Focuses on Reaching Disproportionately At-Risk Black Communities
Covington, GA — Until recently, Connie Dobbs, a Covington resident, didn’t realize she was at increased risk for lung cancer, or that lung cancer screening is often covered by insurance. That changed after an honest, everyday conversation with her hairstylist, who is trained through Lung Cancer Foundation of America’s Saving Lungs Behind the Chair program.
Her stylist is one of nearly 200 hairstylists and barbers across the country trained through LCFA’s Saving Lungs Behind The Chair initiative. The program empowers beauty professionals to spark approachable, judgment-free conversations about lung cancer screening while clients are in the chair, spaces that often serve as trusted community touchpoints.
After learning she was eligible, Connie Dobbs completed a lung cancer screening that came back negative, and she gained peace of mind. She also won a $500 drawing from LCFA for taking this important step toward her health.
"Screening was so easy, I was so surprised. I am telling my friends and family they should all know about lung cancer screening and how early detection can save their lives," said Connie Dobbs.
“It’s not hard, and I will go back every year to get checked,” Dobbs said.
These conversations cover key facts: anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, this disease disproportionately impacts Black Americans, and screening may be covered by insurance, Medicare, or the VA for those with a smoking history.
Black Americans face persistent barriers to early lung cancer detection, including lower screening rates and later-stage diagnoses. Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer in the U.S., yet only about 5% of eligible Americans get screened. Saving Lungs Behind The Chair addresses these gaps by equipping trusted community voices to share accurate, accessible information, helping people understand their risk and take action sooner.
Connie Dobbs had no idea she was at risk for lung cancer until her hairstylist brought it up. That single conversation gave her the information and confidence she needed to talk to her doctor and get screened.
“My doctors didn't bring lung cancer screening up to me, even though I am a smoker. Once I learned about it from the Saving Lungs Behind the Chair program, I talked to them about it, and they set it up right away,” Dobbs said.
Now in its second year, the program has trained hundreds of hairstylists and barbers who have shared lung cancer screening information with more than 400 clients during the pilot program in the Atlanta metro area.
High-resolution photos and Saving Lungs Behind the Chair background materials are available upon request. If you’re interested in interviewing Connie, please send over written questions, and we will respond quickly. An LCFA representative is also available for a Zoom interview to provide additional context or expert insight.
About LCFA
LCFA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating lung cancer through research, education, and support programs. Committed to improving patient outcomes and raising awareness, LCFA funds innovative research projects, conducts educational initiatives, and advocates for increased resources for lung cancer research. Find out more at LCFAmerica.org.