Townsville doctor Emma Wawn urges support for Melanoma March on the Strand
A Townsville doctor diagnosed with melanoma is urging Queenslanders to help raise money to fight fears around skin cancer. See how you can help.
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A Townsville doctor recently diagnosed with melanoma is urging Queenslanders to help raise money to fight fears surrounding the potentially deadly skin cancer.
Townsville University Hospital emergency doctor Emma Wawn revealed that she was diagnosed with Stage One melanoma at the beginning of the year.
Dr Wawn said she had initially delayed her annual skin check as she juggled her fast-paced career and hectic family life as a mother and step-mother to four children.
She said it was at her appointment that her specialist noticed that a mole on her leg had changed, with biopsy results confirming it was skin cancer.
Dr Wawn said that as an emergency doctor in North Queensland, “I see many cases of sun damage and all stages of melanoma.”
“My personal experience has certainly changed the way I break the news to patients,” she said.
“When I heard my diagnosis, I felt pretty gutted and shaken. Your world can feel so fragile in that moment when you hear you have a cancer like melanoma.”
She said nothing prepared you for a cancer diagnosis.
“I am so lucky that my melanoma hasn’t spread anywhere, but I still feel anxious at times, especially if I start thinking of my children growing up without a mum.”
Dr Wawn urged fellow North Queenslanders to join her family at Melanoma March Townsville at the Strand Rockpool on Sunday, March 12.
It is part of Melanoma Institute Australia’s 12th annual Melanoma March campaign that is aiming to raise $1 million for Australia’s first clinical trial to treat fear of cancer recurrence experienced by those with advanced disease.
The trial will focus on identifying and supporting advanced melanoma patients experiencing fear and anxiety about their melanoma recurring or progressing, with the findings also set to benefit other cancer patients.
Institute CEO Matthew Browne said 40 per cent of patients reported experiencing anxiety around their diagnosis and treatment, with one in two also reporting that anxiety and depression also presented barriers to accessing support services.
“This Australian first clinical trial, led by senior clinical researchers at MIA, aims to ensure the emotional needs of cancer patients are recognized and addressed as part of their routine clinical care,” he said.
“The clinical trial findings will not be unique to melanoma patients, with the outcomes also likely to benefit other advanced cancer patients.”
Mr Browne said the campaign would also encompass warnings against “the glamourisation of tanning”.
Dr Wawn said the “only safe tan is no tan”.
“The glam photos in media, filtered and airbrushed, don’t show the premature aging and the tiny cellular changes that are the beginning of the cancer that changes your life.’
Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, with one person diagnosed every 30 minutes and one person dying from the disease every 6 hours.
It is the most common cancer affecting 20-39 year old Australians.
Currently, 50 per cent of advanced melanoma patients don’t respond or become resistant to new immunotherapy treatments.
To register or donate to Melanoma March please visit HERE.
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