Salon Partnership: Targeting Screening Gaps in South Carolina

One in six women reported missing or possibly missing a routine cancer screening in the past year, according to a 2025 survey. To address this gap, a salon in Anderson, South Carolina, has partnered with a statewide health initiative to integrate cancer screening discussions into regular client appointments.

Kimberly Cheatham, owner of Kreative Kimistry, joined the Pink Palmetto Project, an effort led by the South Carolina Cancer Alliance. The initiative focuses on education regarding breast and cervical cancer. Cheatham noted that her clients often share personal details with her that they keep from family and friends.

"They confide in me when they don’t even feel comfortable telling their families things and their friends, because they know that I have a connection to them," Cheatham said. She stated that the project helps her reach younger women specifically, emphasizing that early detection improves outcomes.

Cheatham’s personal history with the disease influences her approach. Her mother died of colon cancer at age 62. Cheatham described struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder related to medical examinations. "I’m still dealing with the effects of it now because I have really bad PTSD about going to the doctor for, you know, getting my exams and stuff," she said.

Brenda Thorpe, senior community engagement director for the South Carolina Cancer Alliance, cited data showing disparities in breast cancer outcomes. She noted that breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women but that African American women are diagnosed at later stages more frequently than their peers.

"When I looked at the data, we see a huge disparity with women when it comes to breast cancer, right? That’s the most common cancer that women are impacted by. But the data also shows a disparity for African-American women. And so African-American women are diagnosed at a later stage for breast cancer," Thorpe said. Later stage diagnoses often require harsher treatments and result in lower survival chances.

Nicole Echols, CEO of the South Carolina Cancer Alliance, explained that salons provide a comfortable environment for these conversations. "We know that we can get into the spaces and have conversations and talk to women about how important it is for their breast health and how important screening is and how important early detection is and how it really can save your life," Echols said.

Kreative Kimistry is the only salon in the Upstate region currently participating in the Pink Palmetto Project. The South Carolina Cancer Alliance intends to expand the program, a goal that depends on securing additional funding. According to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, black women have a 40% higher death rate from breast cancer compared to white women.