The federal government has committed $10.3 million to accelerate the development of a “world first” national targeted skin cancer screening roadmap.
Led by Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO at the Melanoma Institute Australia, the investment will allow collaboration with other cancer stakeholders to research risk-based and cost-effective national screening approaches.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
In 2028, the Institute will deliver a report with evidence about screening and guidance on how Australia could implement a national targeted skin cancer screening program.
“There have been huge breakthroughs in treatment in recent years thanks to the efforts of pioneers like the Australians of the Year, Professor Long and Professor Scolyer,” health minister Mark Butler said.
“As we head into summer, we should all remind ourselves to do the Five S’s- Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.
“The investment will accelerate the work underway by the Melanoma Institute in building this important national roadmap.”
Meanwhile, Professor Long AO said the investment was “exciting for the sector”.
“This is a major first step forward in the establishment of this key program, as we fight to beat Australia’s national cancer.”
Two in three Australians are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime, making the prevalence the largest in the world and the most common cancer in the country.
More than 18,000 people in 2023 were diagnosed with the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma.