Yervoy, the melanoma drug developed in the US, is said to be responsible for significantly reducing tumors and extending life expectancy in terminally ill melanoma patients. Despite these results, the chance that most melanoma sufferers in Australia will get access to this drug is very slim. With a price tag of $120,000 per treatment the

Research out of the US has discovered that red heads may be at higher risk of melanoma, regardless of sun exposure. Scientist have found that, mice with red colouring were able to develop melanoma with no exposure to UV Radiation – the main cause of skin cancer. Much work still needs to be done to

A recent survey commissioned by Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA) has revealed that 46% of Australians have never had a professional skin cancer screening. With Australia having one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, these results are concerning. The sad fact is that 2 in 3 Australians will develop some form of

Moves by NSW and SA to impose bans on solarium use is unlikely to be followed by Victoria in the short term. The Victorian State Government is however considering to impose regulations on sunbeds. These may include minimum age usage and graphic warnings, similar to those on cigarette packets. Read more here

Skin cancer experts from around the world met recently in Fremantle, Western Australia, at the inaugural National Melanoma Conference. The 2 day event gave experts the opportunity to discuss the latest in research and breakthroughs for skin cancer across the globe. Professor Charles Balch, Professor of Surgery at the University of Texas South Western Medical

According to ‘Australian Medicine Online’, the International Journal of Biometeorology recently released data detailing that UV levels in Australia are steadily increasing. The study in the International Journal of Biometeorology was produced by Dr Lilia Lemus-Deschamps of the Bureau of Meteorology and Ms Jen Makin of Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer.

Truck drivers in Australia face a high risk of skin cancer due to the high levels of UV radiation they are exposed to on a day-to-day basis. UV radiation from the sun is the most common cause of skin cancer. Outdoor workers, including truck drivers, receive up to 5 – 10 times more sun exposure

A gene responsible for almost one in 10 melanomas has been discovered following research by scientists in Australia and the United States. Read more here

A research group called the Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer Project (Me-Can) has been looking at how metabolic factors, such as blood pressure, may affect cancers. According to studies conducting, men and women with high blood pressure had an increased risk of developing melanoma, while women with high blood pressure were more likely to die from

A new drug designed to treat melanoma is showing positive results during trials conducted in Australia and the USA. The drug, called Zelboraf, works by blocking a protein that is involved with cell growth in patients with advanced melanoma whose tumours express a gene mutation called BRAF V600E. About 53 per cent of patients with

In an innovative move by the NSW Cancer Council, a new ‘Sun Sound’ has now made it’s way to beaches and outdoor areas across the NSW coast. The jingle, written by Australian recording artist Ben Lee, has been designed to be a catchy reminder to apply and reapply sunscreen and seek protection when out in