Melanoma has sat in the shadows for far too long. MPA is working hard to shine a long overdue light on Australia’s third most common cancer.
Melanoma is one of Australia’s most diagnosed cancer types with an estimated number of 17,443 new diagnoses in 2025.
Preventative measures including sun safety and early detection saves lives, and equitable access to support services and treatments greatly impacts the quality of life patients experience from diagnosis, through treatment and post treatment.
Melanoma Patients Australia is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting patients and families, and advocating for better patient outcomes, so no one affected by melanoma walks alone.
MPA is advocating with other patient organisations for the funding and implementation of recommendations identified in the Health Technology Assessment Review to ensure the timely and equitable access for the best medicines for Australians now and into the future.
MPA provided a written submission to the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) whilst undertaking a review of their Code of Ethics (COE), which are the rules all advertisers must follow.
The existing COE provide no guidance on safety and what is and isn’t safe when it comes to sun exposure.
MPA has lent its support to a community driven Change.org campaign calling for mandatory sunscreen application in schools. The goal is simple but powerful: ensure every child receives consistent, routine sun protection as part of the school day.
Please consider writing to your local Federal Member of Parliament and the Federal Health Minister to share your personal story and to ask for support. We have developed a toolkit which includes helpful template letters and ‘how to guides’ as well as links to make it easy to identify your Federal MP.
Your State and Territory MP’s also play an important role in influencing health policy in your area and we also encourage you to brief them on the campaign and to write to your State or Territory Minister for Health. To tackle the issues, will require all levels of Government to work together.
Thank you for taking the time to become involved on behalf of everyone affected by melanoma across Australia.
MPA is committed to turning research into real change for every Australian affected by melanoma.
The release of the landmark ‘State of the Nation – A Report into Melanoma – A National Health Priority’ co-commissioned by Melanoma Patients Australia and Melanoma Institute Australia and delivered by Insight Economics, shines a long overdue light on Australia’s third most common cancer, melanoma.
Melanoma Patient Australia’s Spotlight on Melanoma Action Plan details the five key actions to overcome patient support and advocacy issues identified in the ‘State of the Nation – A Report into Melanoma – A National Health Priority’ and to ensure that no one affected by melanoma walks alone.
Share your melanoma story, you can help others feel informed, supported and connected. Complete our patient story form and use your voice to advocate for the melanoma community.
Complete our patient story form below
Melanoma Patients Australia recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Australia, and we acknowledge, respect and embrace their continued connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.
We recognise, value and celebrate diversity and act in the spirit of inclusion.
