| Roadmap for a National Targeted Melanoma Screening Program |
Early detection of melanoma is associated with better health outcomes. Unlike cancers of the breast, bowel, cervix, and lung, there is no structured screening program for melanoma in Australia. Funded by the Australian Government, this Roadmap will provide the Government with evidence-based recommendations on how a national, targeted screening program could be implemented—one that aims to detect melanoma earlier in individuals at higher risk, while avoiding unnecessary harm in those at lower risk. A central focus of the brief is on equity, access, and feasibility—particularly for geographically and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. More than 100 diverse researchers, clinicians, policy experts and people with lived experience are involved in the Roadmap.
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| Tailoring melanoma prevention, early detection and treatment strategies using personal risk |
The team leads several projects that evaluate tailored approaches to patient care and cancer control that take into account individuals’ risk factors and health system factors. The Tailored Surveillance Project is evaluating the implementation of personalised melanoma risk assessment and tailored patient education and skin surveillance in the dermatology clinics. We previously completed the Melanoma Genomics Managing Your Risk Study, a NHMRC-funded randomised controlled trial in which 1,025 Australians took part. This study evaluated the impact of providing personal genomic melanoma risk information on skin cancer prevention and early detection behaviours, and psychosocial, ethical and economic outcomes. The team also has expertise in developing, validating and prospectively evaluating melanoma risk prediction tools to better identify, treat and follow-up people with melanoma or at high risk of developing melanoma.
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| Supporting safe sun habits in melanoma survivors using wearable UV devices with real-time feedback: a randomised controlled trial |
The Sun Wise study will establish the efficacy of wearable UV sensors with real-time feedback in supporting sun-safe behaviours. Using a novel intervention, the latest technology in UV sensors, the findings from this trial will improve our understanding of how to support safe sun exposure and improve survival outcomes in the growing population of melanoma survivors.
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| Predicting cancer risks and the Australian Cancer Risk Study |
Co-led with A/Prof Julia Steinberg, the Australian Cancer Risk Study is an innovative program to harness the potential of genomics for improved risk prediction and early detection for the four most common cancers in Australia: breast, prostate, melanoma, and colorectal cancers. In collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of world-leading researchers, consumers, health professionals, and policy stakeholders, the Australian Cancer Risk Study is developing evidence-based recommendations to help reduce the burden of cancer. This research program is funded by a $3M grant from the Australian government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), and has also generated a new lasting cancer-focused resource of Australian genomic data within the 45 and Up Study.
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| International melanoma consortia: risk factors for melanoma incidence and recurrence |
The team is involved in international melanoma consortia research programs, bringing together world-class multidisciplinary researchers to answer important research questions concerning melanoma aetiology and treatment using large, comprehensive datasets. These include the Genetics of Melanoma (GenoMEL) consortium, the Genes, Environment and Melanoma (GEM) consortium, and the Integration of Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers for Melanoma Survival (InterMEL) consortium.
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