Roadmap for reducing the impact of melanoma in Australia
March 4, 2022
The 'State of the Nation - A Report into Melanoma, A National Health Priority' was undertaken by Insight Economics and jointly commissioned by Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA). It involved widespread national input from melanoma patients, carers, clinicians, researchers and policy leaders over the last 18 months.
The report provides a detailed roadmap for reducing the impact of melanoma. It estimates that without critical action being taken, by 2030 a further 18,000 Australians will die from melanoma within five years of diagnosis, 205,000 will be diagnosed with the disease, and the economic cost to the nation will be $8.7 billion.
The report outlines a five point strategy critical to achieving zero deaths from melanoma by 2030.
- Implement a national melanoma prevention and awareness strategy
- Invest in Australia’s high impact research.
- Improve early detection and targeted screening program.
- Reduce variation in diagnosis and treatment.
- Establish a model for melanoma supportive care and survivorship.
Included in the five point strategy are 25 separate recommendations, which MIA and MPA are seeking urgent Government support for. These include:
- Long-term investment in a national prevention and early detection awareness strategy
- Improved sun-safety in secondary schools and on sporting fields
- Support and maintain clinical guidelines through a national peak body
- Development of evidence for a national targeted population screening program for melanoma
- Investment in GP training and development of a clinical standard of care for the diagnosis of melanoma
- Increased supply of and access to trained professionals in skin cancer diagnosis
- Development of a model of care for melanoma survivors
- Funding for a National Melanoma Nurse Support Service.