Melanoma – it can be conquered

Which is why thousands of people will be hitting pavements around the country this month to help find a cure for melanoma, dubbed our “national cancer” due to its prevalence.

In fact, Australia has one of the highest rates in the world, with almost 14,000 people expected to be diagnosed with melanoma in 2018. About 1800 will die from the condition.

Now in its seventh year, the Melanoma March is the Melanoma Institute’s major annual fundraising campaign to raise awareness and life-saving funds for research.

Events are being held around the country and last year more than 7000 people supported their local march.

The incidence of melanoma has doubled in the 20 years between 1986 and 2006 and is still on the rise.

In Australia, one in 14 men and one in 24 women will be diagnosed with the cancer some time in their life.

It kills more young Australians aged 20-39 than any other single cancer.

The good news is that if melanoma is identified early, simple treatment can result in a cure.

And in recent years research breakthroughs have tripled the life expectancy for advanced melanoma patients.