Skin scans may offer early detection of melanomas

A world-first plan to map ­patients’ bodies with 3D scans could offer breakthrough hope in the fight against deadly skin cancers.

Three-dimensional scans mapping the surface of a ­patient’s body are a possible new way of diagnosing deadly melanomas earlier than under current checks.

In a world-first study, 3D images of the skin of 15,000 Australians will be put under the microscope by Melbourne researchers aiming to devise an algorithm that can project who will suffer melanoma and other skin cancers.

Led by Associate Professor Victoria Mar, of Monash ­University, the melanoma scanning trial is one of 30 new studies to ­receive federal ­government backing as part of a $74m federal ­investment to drive Australian medical ­discoveries.

Reinforcing Melbourne’s standing as a global medical research leader, 14 of the 30 National Health Medical ­Research Council grants to be announced on Sunday will go to Victorian institutes.

Under Professor Mar’s $3.2m melanoma cohort study, research teams will use 3D ­imaging machines across metropolitan and regional Victoria, Queensland and NSW.

In a world-first study, 3D images of the skin of 15,000 Australians will be put under the microscope.

It will be the first study in the world to document on a large scale the whole skin surfaces of participants with histopathology images and other patient details.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the trial would help to discover more effective diagnosis options for thousands of Australians and also help reduce the disease’s $1bn annual ­impact on the health system.

“Australia has the highest rate of melanoma, the deadliest form, for which there is currently no standardised diagnosis,” Mr Hunt said.

“Each of these projects has the potential to improve health outcomes here in Australia and across the globe.”

Other projects backed by the NHMRC, to begin this year, include a trial to determine whether online social media-based interventions can reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours in young people.

The trial is to be led by the University of Melbourne’s Associate Professor Simon Rice.

Studies will also trial using breathing controls to treat non-epileptic seizures, lowering oxygen levels for cardiac arrest injuries, cutting infections for blood cancer patients, and better managing lung disease from birth to old age.

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will examine the potential impact on children exposed to intimate partner violence.

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