More than $10 million has been dedicated to the early detection of skin cancer as melanoma remains the most diagnosed cancer in Australia.
Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world with two out of three people diagnosed in their lifetime.
More than 18,000 people were diagnosed with melanoma last year.
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The $10.3 million investment will go towards skin cancer screening to bolster the nation’s early detection capabilities.
The funding will bring together experts in the cancer sector and fast-track a national targeted skin cancer screening roadmap, the NSW Government said.
“Skin cancer is our national cancer but it’s also one of the most preventable,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.
“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.
“As we head into summer we should all remind ourselves to do the Five S’s– Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.”
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The program will be run by the Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO from the Melanoma Institute Australia.
“This is a major first step forward in the establishment of this key program, as we fight to beat Australia’s national cancer,” Long said.
“Prevention is better than a cure, and the more investment in this area the better from our perspective,” Scolyer added.
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