Skin Cancer. Take care of the skin you’re in.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Australians. In fact, Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. At HealthMatch, we want to help save your skin. Find a skin cancer clinical trial today.
Skin Cancer Clinical Trials
Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before they turn 70. 95% of these skin cancers are caused because of UV radiation – overexposure to the sun. This exposure to UV radiation results in damage to the DNA inside your skin cells, causing abnormal cell growth – resulting in a mass of cancer cells.
The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Looking for how to help someone with skin cancer? At HealthMatch, we’re bringing forward tomorrow’s treatments. We have more than 18 trials available for skin cancer, including ones aimed at targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
80%
of newly diagnosed cancers in Australia are skin cancers¹
Over 2,000
Australians die from skin cancer each year ²
1 million
the number of patient consultations GPs have for skin cancer each year³
Foundation
Cancer Council
Cancer Council has been supporting Australian’s with, our affected by, any form of cancer since 1961. They help people from diagnosis, to treatment, to survivorship, and aim for a cancer-free future.
Cancer Council offers support, funds research, develops preventative programs and works with, and advocates for, the community.
Cancer Council Support Services
Support services for Australians affected by cancer include a confidential information and support line; transportation to treatment; an online community; a free wig service, and more.
Resources
SunSmart
This phone app, available for Apple devices, provides users with sun protection times. It also comes with a sunscreen calculator, telling users how much sunscreen to apply based on their outfit.
National Melanoma Support Line
Melanoma Patients Australia provides a telephone support helpline at 1300 88 44 50. It provides emotional support and specific melanoma information, as well as referral to support groups and peer to peer linkage.
FAQ
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin. There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) starts in the basal cells of the epidermis (skin). It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It makes up 70% of non-melanoma skin cancers.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) starts in the squamous cells of the epidermis (skin). It tends to grow quickly and can spread to other parts of the body. It makes up about 30% of non-melanoma skin cancers.
BCC and SCC are also known as non-melanoma skin cancer.
Melanoma is a cancer of the melanocyte cells of the epidermis (skin). Although it only makes up 1-2% of all skin cancers, it’s considered the most serious.
When melanoma spreads, it extends downwards from the epidermis and can invade nearby lymph nodes or the bloodstream. This allows it to spread easily throughout the body.
What are the symptoms of skin cancer?
Symptoms of skin cancer include crusty, non-healing sores; small lumps that are red, pale, or pearly in color; new spots, freckles, or lumps; and moles changing in color, thickness, or shape over weeks or months.
How do you treat skin cancer?
Non-melanoma cancer is most commonly treated with surgery. Simple procedures are performed by a GP or dermatologist. More complex procedures may be done by a surgeon.
Other treatments for non-melanoma cancers include curettage and cautery; cryotherapy; topical treatment; photodynamic therapy, and in more severe cases, radiation therapy.
Treatment for the early stages of melanoma includes surgery. Lymph nodes may also be removed if the melanoma has spread to them.
Treatment for advanced melanoma includes surgery, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Palliative treatment may also be considered.
Is there a cure for skin cancer?
Prevention and early detection are key. Most skin cancers are successfully treated if detected in the early stages.
Skin cancers can be prevented by protecting the skin from UV rays. This includes “slip, slop, slap, seek, slide”: wearing sun-protective clothing, SPF30 sunscreen, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and seeking shade.
The five-year survival rate for melanoma is 91%.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a scientific study involving patient or non-patient (healthy) human volunteers. They help determine whether medicines are safe and effective to introduce as new treatments for a particular disease or condition.
How do I select a clinical trial?
HealthMatch matches you to clinical trials, in an easy-to-understand process.
After completing a medical questionnaire, our platform searches for and filters eligible trials for you. You’re able to view matches and apply for trials, on your trial dashboard.
We’ll put you in direct contact with the trial group once you’ve been accepted. We won’t stop searching until we’ve found you the right match.
Find Skin Cancer Clinical Trials Today
¹ Cancer Council, About Skin Cancer
² Sun Smart, Skin Cancer Facts & Stats
³ Cancer Council Wiki, Skin cancer incidence and mortality