Take steps to beat melanoma this Melanoma March

Did you know that Australia has the highest melanoma rate in the world? Melanoma is the most common cancer affecting 20- to 39-year-olds and one Australian is diagnosed with the disease every 30 minutes. ¹

It is estimated 1,300 Australians will die from melanoma this year.

Recent advances in treatment have tripled the life expectancy for advanced melanoma patients. Melanoma Institute Australia’s annual Melanoma March initiative promotes skin cancer awareness and raises vital funds for melanoma research.

The annual event highlights the importance of ‘taking steps to beat melanoma’, including getting to know the signs and symptoms of skin cancer, learning to monitor the skin of yourself and your loved ones, and getting a regular skin cancer check to pick up small changes early.

Early detection of skin cancer provides the best chance of successful treatment and cure.

Read another skin cancer blog.

Melanoma Institute Australia is working towards zero deaths from melanoma – a view wholeheartedly shared by National Skin Cancer Centres and embodied by our vision of a world where nobody dies from skin cancer.

How you can take steps to beat melanoma:

  1. Get to know the signs of skin cancer.
  2. Monitor your own skin and your loved ones' skin for suspicious signs.
  3. See a doctor for a professional skin cancer check every year.
  4. Encourage your loved ones to get regular skin cancer checks.
  5. Consider participating in the Melanoma March.
  6. Look after your skin health every day, with sunscreen and other sun-safe habits.
 

¹ Melanoma Institute Australia