The New South Wales Government has launched an ambitious two-year national research project aimed at identifying the gene mutations that lead to melanoma.

 

Launched the State Minister for Health and Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, launched the $5.5 million Australian Melanoma Genome Project, which will work towards identifying effective treatments for patients based on individual melanomas.

 

The NSW Government is committed to investing in high quality medical research and I am pleased to join the Commonwealth Government, Cancer Council NSW, The Cancer Institute NSW and a large number of private donors to support this important project,” Mrs Skinner said.

 

“Sadly, melanoma is the most common cancer in young people aged 15 to 39 and though it represents only two per cent of all skin cancers in Australia, it is responsible for about 80 per cent of skin cancer-related deaths.

 

“It is for this reason that the NSW Government has committed $500,000 towards the initiative, which has been coordinated by Melanoma Institute Australia to encourage greater knowledge and understanding about treatment of the disease.

 

Executive Director of Melanoma Institute Australia, Professor John Thompson, welcomed the funding, saying it will be key to conducting further research in the field.

 

“It will allow us to expedite this important research and deliver meaningful outcomes to the people in our community who need it most. We would be surprised if this work does not translate into a major extension of life for thousands of people worldwide with melanoma,” Professor Thompson said.