Melanoma Institute Australia
Melanoma Institute Australia is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing and curing melanoma through world-class research, treatment and education programs. Based in the Poche Centre, Australia’s largest single-tumour cancer centre, Melanoma Institute Australia is affiliated with the University of Sydney and St Vincent’s and Mater Health Sydney.
Melanoma Institute Australia relies on the generosity of individuals, organisations and government funding to continue its important work into this potentially devastating cancer.
Melanoma in Australia
Australia has by far the highest incidence rate for melanoma in the world and melanoma is sometimes referred to as ‘Australia’s national cancer’. Over 11,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Around 12 of those diagnosed, or over 1,200 Australians, die of melanoma every year.
Melanoma affects more young people aged 15-44 than any other cancer in Australia. Melanoma is the most common of all cancers in men aged 15-54 and women aged 15-39. Melanoma is the third most common form of cancer in Australian men and women overall. Around 1 in 15 Australian men and 1 in 24 Australian women will be diagnosed with melanoma in their lifetime.
The good news is that Australia is also leading the world in the fight against melanoma.
History of Melanoma Institute Australia
Melanoma Institute Australia evolved from the Sydney Melanoma Unit, which was set up by Professor Gerard Milton at Sydney Hospital in the 1960s. Following a large philanthropic donation by Mr Greg Poche AO, which enabled the building of a dedicated melanoma research and treatment centre, the Poche Centre, the Unit was renamed Melanoma Institute Australia and established as an independent charity. The Poche Centre officially opened in March 2010. The Institute is affiliated with the University of Sydney and St Vincent’s and Mater Health Sydney.