Casey Barnes Reveals Cancer Scare

Australian country music favourite Casey Barnes joined Channel 7’s The Morning Show this week for a quick chat that initially celebrated his recent achievements – returning to Tamworth, earning his first ARIA Gold Record – before it turned to a conversation about cancer.

Casey Barnes recently experienced a cancer scare. Explaining his recent experience caught him “by surprise”, Barnes detailed a recent regular skin check appointment where two early melanomas (a type of skin cancer that’s common in Australia) were found.

Showing The Morning Show (and the audience back at home) the size of the melanoma spot on his arm that was the size of a pin needle, Barnes discussed how lucky he was to find the cancer early and have it completely removed.

Detailing the importance of staying on top of skin checks, Barnes continued, “The country music industry, we’re pretty loose, and country music fans come to shows wearing their singlets, and they don’t worry about the sun… two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with some kind of skin cancer in their life, which is pretty crazy.”

Barnes has changed how he tours, opting for shade when he can and talked about the “wake-up call” following the cancer scare.

“I don’t care if I look like a bit of a nerd,” Barnes explained about placing importance on sun safety. “We live in Australia. You’ve gotta be careful about these things and take it seriously.”

At first, Barnes wasn’t going to share his experience with melanoma publicly. But in a candid social media post, he wrote, “Initially, I was going to keep this private, but I’m so glad I didn’t. Hopefully, by me sharing my own melanoma scare, it encourages more people to go and get checked.

“It’s crazy to think two out of three Aussies will be diagnosed with some sort of skin cancer in their lifetime 🤯 I was very lucky, had a great doctor, trusted my gut and caught it early. If this story saves even one life, it’ll be worth it x

“Thanks to the Cancer Council and The Morning Show for inviting me on for a chat. GET YOURSELF CHECKED”.

This April, Casey Barnes will perform at the Stagecoach Festival in California. Not only is Barnes the sole Australian artist on the line-up, but he appears alongside absolutely massive names, including Post Malone, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, Willie Nelson and many more.