Cairns residents called to raise awareness and participate in Melanoma March this month

A Cairns mother of two has learned the hard way about the importance of sun safety after being diagnosed with Stage 2B melanoma, now she’s raising money to help find a cure. Find out how you can help.

Kayleigh Sorensen was diagnosed with a Stage 2 melanoma in 2019, and received immunotherapy treatment to ensure her cancer didn't spread to her internal organs. For every year since, Kayleigh has participated in the Melanoma March on the Cairns Esplanade with family and friends, raising awareness about the cancer that affects people of all ages. This year's march will be held on Saturday, March 22. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Cairns resident and mother of two has learned the hard way about the importance of sun safety after being diagnosed with Stage 2B melanoma at just 33 years old.

It all started with what seemed like a harmless spot on her scalp something Kayleigh Sorensen, now 39, thought was just a minor sore.

However after a GP said it was “nothing to worry about”, her hairdresser noticed the spot again months later and urged her client to seek a second opinion.

“That decision saved my life,” said Ms Sorensen.

“At first, I just thought it was nothing, maybe I had scratched my head or something, but my hairdresser noticed it had changed and encouraged me to get it checked out again.”

Kayleigh Sorensen was diagnosed with a Stage 2B melanoma in 2019, and received immunotherapy treatment to ensure her cancer didn't spread to her internal organs. This year's march will be held on Saturday, March 22. Picture: Brendan Radke

Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, and it is the most common form of cancer among Australians aged 20 to 39, with one new diagnosis every 30 minutes and one death every six hours.

Ms Sorensen’s journey underscores the importance of not dismissing any unusual marks or changes to your skin, as early detection can make all the difference.

“I didn’t think about seeing a skin specialist at first. But when I got a second opinion by a different doctor, they insisted I see a dermatologist, that’s when everything changed,” she said.

A biopsy confirmed her worst fears, she had melanoma.

“The news was terrifying, especially with young child,” she said.

“I was at work when I got the call. I remember sneaking into my office and hearing the doctor say, ‘Can you come in this afternoon? And bring a support person.’ I knew then it wasn’t good news,” Ms Sorensen said.

“I rang my husband in tears and said, ‘Stop everything, we need to go to the doctor.’”

For three years Kayleigh has participated in the Melanoma March on the Cairns Esplanade with family and friends, raising awareness about the cancer that affects people of all ages. This year's march will be held on Saturday, March 22. Picture: Brendan Radke

The following days were a whirlwind of appointments, scans, and ultimately surgery.

“They decided to remove it and also to take out a lot of my lymph nodes in my neck to check it hadn’t spread,” Ms Sorensen said.

Fortunately, the cancer had not yet spread, and the young mum was able to take part in a 15-year melanoma immunotherapy trial, which included regular treatments for a year.

Looking back, Ms Sorensen urges others to trust their instincts and not to be lapse about sun safety.

“My advice is simple: never ignore your body, and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Early detection saved my life,” she said.

Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, and it is the most common form of cancer among Australians aged 20 to 39, with one new diagnosis every 30 minutes and one death every six hours. Picture: Supplied.

Today she is cancer-free, however, her commitment to spreading the message of sun safety and skin cancer awareness has only grown stronger.

For her third year in a row, she will participate in the Melanoma March, an event aimed at raising vital funds for the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and educating people about the dangers of skin cancer.

“I’m marching to raise awareness, because early detection saved my life. We need to fund research and find a cure for everyone diagnosed with melanoma,” Ms Sorensen said.

Melanoma March Cairns will be held on Saturday, March 22 at Cairns Esplanade on Yidinji Country.

“Follow the five sun-safe rules: Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses. It’s simple, but it can save lives,” Ms Sorensen said.

This year, all the funds raised will go towards updating and promoting the National Melanoma Clinical Guidelines. Picture: Supplied.

MIA’s Chief of Staff, Matthew Browne, praised the community’s efforts so far but hopes more people join the march.

“This is our biggest Melanoma March campaign yet, with 28 events across Australia. It’s inspiring to see so many people joining together in the fight against this deadly disease,” he said.

This year, all the funds raised will go towards updating and promoting the National Melanoma Clinical Guidelines.

As these guidelines aren’t funded by the government, the money raised during Melanoma March 2025 will help support NMCG efforts to achieve its goal of zero deaths from melanoma and reduce the overall impact of this disease on public health.

To register or donate, visit www.melanomamarch.org.au.

Originally published as Cairns residents called to raise awareness and participate in Melanoma March this month