To see frequently asked questions, have a look at the information below.
Melanoma can affect anyone – regardless of age, skin type, or gender. No one is immune.
However, some people may be at higher risk, including those who:
Understanding your risk can help you take steps to protect your skin and catch any changes early.
Around 95% of melanoma cases in Australia are caused by overexposure to UV radiation – primarily from the sun.
Sunburn or tanning damages the DNA in skin cells. This damage can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the development of cancer.
The main sources of UV radiation are:
Most skin damage is done before 15 years of age. The damage then accumulates with every exposure. The number of sunburns experienced early in life greatly increases the lifetime risk of developing melanoma.
While you can’t change some risk factors like your genetics, you can reduce your risk by protecting your skin from UV exposure every day, not just when it’s sunny.
The prevention of the majority of melanoma’s is unbelievably simple.
SLIP – on protective clothing – cover as much of your skin as you can
SLOP – on sunscreen – check the expiry date, make sure it’s SPF50+, applied 20 minutes prior to going outside, and re-applied every 2 hours – more often if swimming, sweating or towelling.
SLAP – on a wide brimmed hat – preferably with a minimum 7cm brim.
SEEK – shade when outdoors. Be aware that UV radiation can reflect of surfaces such as snow, sand, water, concrete etc.
SLIDE – on sunglasses – wrap around sunglasses with UV protection provide the best cover.
Once a lesion has been identified as a possible melanoma, a biopsy is performed on the area to determine if it is in fact melanoma, and how deep the diseased cells have spread through the layers of the skin. The results of this pathology dictates whether further surgical excision of the site is required and whether further tests or treatments are required. You can read more about melanoma stages and treatments HERE.
Yes — melanoma can often be cured if it is detected and treated early.
When melanoma is found in its early stages (before it has spread to other parts of the body), it can usually be surgically removed with a very high success rate. In fact, 95% of early stage melanoma patients experience a complete cure when detected and removed early.
However, once melanoma spreads to lymph nodes or other organs (known as advanced or metastatic melanoma), it becomes much more difficult to treat. New treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy have improved outcomes for advanced cases, but early detection still offers the best chance of survival.
The earlier melanoma is found, the better the chance of a full recovery. That’s why regular skin checks, knowing your skin, and protecting yourself from UV exposure are so important.
At, HMF, we’re here to help you. We’re a local organisation helping local people and our mission is to defeat melanoma.
With your help, over the past 35+ years, we’ve been working to defeat melanoma—and we know the work we’re doing is making a real difference. But there’s still much more to do.
In the Hunter New England Local Health District, melanoma is now the second most diagnosed cancer (Cancer Institute NSW, February 2024), underscoring the urgent need for continued awareness, early detection, and prevention.
Nationally, melanoma remains the most common cancer among Australians aged 20 to 39. Your donation and ongoing support allow us to continue this life-saving work—funding education programs, supporting patients, and advancing research to reduce the impact of melanoma in our community.
