Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. There are three main types of skin cancer, named after the cells that are affected:
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Melanoma.
Melanoma is the least common skin cancer but it's the most serious because it can spread to other parts of the body.
Incidence
Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of melanoma in the world. More than 2,260 people are diagnosed with melanoma in Victoria every year.
Research funded
About $3.2 million has been given to fund research specifically into melanoma.
In addition, more than $16.2 million has been spent on research projects looking into the detection and treatment of all tumour types (including melanoma).
Overall, Cancer Council
Victoria has funded $69 million worth of
lab-based research in Victorian hospitals, universities and research
institutions since 2003.
More on external research funded per tumour type