A national scorecard on skin cancer was launched this week, highlighting regional Australian’s heightened risk of developing the disease and concerning attitudes across the country.
Photo by
DAN HIMBRECHTS
Australians impacted by skin cancer converged on Parliament House this week to advocate for life saving action and a reduction to a $2.47 billion healthcare burden.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The National Skin Cancer Scorecard 2025 was launched in Canberra on Wednesday, November 26, outlining how Australia is tracking on skin cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, support and care.
Developed by the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Advocacy Network charity in partnership with the Australasian College of Dermatologists, the scorecard is informed by patients, sector partners, clinicians and researchers.
MSCAN founder Tamara Dawson said it aimed to improve outcomes for the hundreds of thousands of Australians diagnosed with melanoma and skin cancer annually.
“We are immensely proud to lead this work, and are calling on governments, clinicians, researchers, industry and communities to work together and address the gaps the scorecard has highlighted,” she said.
“MSCAN and ACD have developed the scorecard to keep melanoma and skin cancer firmly on the national agenda.”
Of the 16 items assessed on the scorecard, minimal progress was made on six.
Australia's National Skin Cancer Scorecard 2025. Photo: MSCAN/ACD.
The scorecard calls for improved sun protection in secondary schools, more shade in high-risk public areas, better sun protection for outdoor sports, and equitable or strengthened access to different types of care.
Regional Australians, who face higher skin cancer rates and poorer outcomes, and under-30s, for whom melanoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, were identified as priority groups.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the country, and claims more than 2000 lives every year, yet most skin cancers are preventable.
A national survey commissioned by MSCAN found 58 per cent of Australians delay speaking to their GP when they notice a suspicious spot.
One in four survey respondents had never checked their skin for signs of cancer, and almost half indicated they felt unsure about their ability to do so.
While usually treatable, keratinocyte cancers kill more than 700 people nationally each year, but the survey found their danger is largely misunderstood.
Nearly one in three respondents incorrectly believed melanomas were the only skin cancers that can be fatal.
More than half admitted to being only somewhat or not at all concerned about cancers that aren’t melanoma.
The Riv spoke to Echuca’s Melissa Sheldon about her 16-year journey with skin cancer. Her story, next week.
10°C