Melanoma Community Breakfast

October 24th, 2012

Nick and Lisa Fitzpatrick had the opportunity to chat with SKMRC Medical Director, Peter Leedman about Lisa's melanoma treatments.

Members of the Western Australian community had the opportunity to rub shoulders with the world's leading experts on melanoma at the inaugural melanoma community breakfast in Fremantle this morning.

Melanoma patients, their families and other interested people were able to ask questions of the speakers, who have travelled to Western Australia for the SKMRC's first national melanoma conference.

One of the eminent melanoma specialists, Professor Charles Balch, from the United States, told the breakfast audience that prevention of melanoma and regular skin screening should be a lifetime journey.

Professor Balch urged patients to be proactive. "We want our patients to be an effective partner in their treatment," he said. "To ask the right questions, to know when to ask for a second opinion, to cope with treatment and be a better survivor."

He also emphasised the importance of clinical trials. "It is important if one is going to access new drugs to participate in clinical trials," he said. "Aussies are better than those in the U.S. about taking part in these trials."

Many of the topics raised by Professor Balch at the breakfast were also covered in an interview by Drive Presenter Russell Woolf on ABC Radio. To listen to the segment, click here.

For more information please contact:

Carolyn Monaghan
Communications Manager
Mobile: 0448 021 932 (media enquiries only)
Office: (08) 9224 0377
Email: carolyn.monaghan@waimr.uwa.edu.au