Bold bid to beat melanoma gets $10 million boost

A $10 million grant will revolutionise the early detection of melanoma with the installation of 15 3D whole body imaging machines across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute will lead the establishment of the ACRF Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis.

UQ Dermatology Research Centre Director Professor H. Peter Soyer said the centre would combine cutting-edge 3D imaging technology with a telemedicine network.

“Melanoma is Australia’s national cancer with Australians experiencing 12 times the global incidence –  it is the most common cancer in Australians aged 15 to 40,” Professor Soyer said.

“Early detection is the key to saving lives and to achieving our vision of a world without melanoma.”

The 3D imaging system takes a total body image in milliseconds, significantly improving lesion identification and tracking, while greatly reducing appointment times and healthcare costs.

Australian Cancer Research Foundation CEO Professor Ian Brown said the grant would boost the country’s melanoma research capability.

“ACRF Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis is a world first approach to improve early detection, thereby tackling the significant national burden of melanoma,” Professor Brown said.

“By providing the machines in capital and regional centres across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria with the potential to expand the network Australia-wide, linked with innovative telemedicine capabilities, this bold project will enhance the capacity to improve the early detection of melanoma and save lives.”

It’s estimated each of the 15 3D imaging machine will be able to provide 3,000 examinations each year, resulting in approximately 100,000 digital avatars within three years.

This large data set will add to the capacity of the centre to inform other clinical studies, including the computation of artificial intelligence algorithms to assist clinical decision making.

The Centre is a collaboration between The University of Queensland, the University of Sydney and Monash University, together with state-based research and health system partners.

The grants were announced at a reception hosted by the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove, tonight at Admiralty House in Sydney.

Media: Kate Zischke, med.media@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 5133, 0436 368 746.

On behalf of Australian Cancer Research Foundation: Kirilly Mallard, +61 2 9019 6296, 0412 449 307, kirilly.mallard@mcsaatchi.com.au.