The Neil Evans Melanoma Foundation (NEMF) attended the recent Australiasian Melanoma Conference (AMC) 2024 in Sydney. Hosted by Melanoma Institute Australian (MIA) and held over two days between 25 and 26 October 2024, the event brought together multidisciplinary delegates from a dozen different countries to ‘engage in insightful discussions, presentations and workshops, all dedicated to reaching our common goal of zero deaths from melanoma.’
Professors Richard Scolyer AO and Georgina Long AO, Co-Medical Directors of MIA and joint 2024 Australians of the Year, opened the conference with a walk through the organisation’s work to date and a roadmap for many vital new and upcoming developments in melanoma detection, treatment, and care including:
- the launch of a new SunSafe Student Ambassador Program designed to promote sun safety in schools and change attitudes towards tanning
- moving closer towards a national targeted melanoma screening program
- the detection and management of early melanoma through to treatment for more advanced cases of the disease with targeted drug therapy
- personalised combination neoadjuvant immunotherapy
- key next steps on the road towards the MIA’s mission of ‘zero deaths from melanoma’
Melanoma prevention, detection, and treatment is now well and truly on the national agenda. Promisingly, the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Mark Butler MP, recently announced Labor’s $10.3 million investment to “bring together the expertise of the cancer sector and accelerate the development of [the aforementioned] national targeted skin cancer screening roadmap.”
AMC also included an update on the National Melanoma Nurses Program. The Federal Government committed $12.2 million over four years to establish the National Melanoma Nurses Program, emphasising the critical role of nurses in the care of patients with melanoma. Nurses provide vital support through both face-to-face and virtual care, improving the health outcomes and overall experience for patients and their families.
MIA was charged with developing the Program, which aims to have 30 Specialist Melanoma Nurses employed in hospitals and melanoma treatment facilities across Australia by June 2025, ensuring access to expert care in every State and Territory.
“Skin cancer is our national cancer but it’s also one of the most preventable,” said the Minister. “There have been huge breakthroughs in treatment in recent years thanks to the efforts of pioneers like the Australians of the Year, Professor Long and Professor Scolyer.
“The investment will accelerate the work underway by [MIA] in building this important national roadmap.”
“This is a major first step forward in the establishment of this key program, as we fight to beat Australia’s national cancer,” said Professor Long.
As detailed in their 2022 report State of the Nation – A Report into Melanoma, A National Health Priority, MIA has also developed education and training resources to support GPs and other clinicians treating patients with melanoma, and their families.
NEMF proudly supports all of these initiatives and shares in our collective mission to achieve zero deaths from melanoma. As champions of melanoma prevention, education, and support, we remain committed to continuing Neil Evans’ enduring legacy of improving outcomes for patients and families impacted by this preventable disease by ensuring that vital resources, treatment, and support are accessible to all Australians.
We’re stronger together!
Image credit: Event Photos Australia
