The real tragedy on Married At First Sight that Australia should be talking about....

8 March 2017
Australia, we need to talk. This week’s dramatic episodes of Married At First Sight have highlighted a tragedy which is ripping Australian families apart. Yet no one is talking about it.
Whilst public discussion focuses on Cheryl and Andrew’s tumultuous relationship, we should be talking about something far more sinister. At their ‘relationship boot camp’ Cheryl was clearly shown sporting badly sunburnt shoulders and back. Her skin was bright red, it looked painful, and I’m sure viewers noticed. Yet no-one batted an eyelid.
Well, I am calling it. The national discussion about young Australians and melanoma needs to start, and it needs to start now. Our young adults are dying from melanoma. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, young parents – lost to melanoma, Australia’s national cancer, at the prime of their lives.
Melanoma is the most common cancer affecting 15-39 year-old Australians. It kills more 20-39 year olds than any other single cancer. One Australian dies from melanoma every six hours. Yet, it is largely preventable.
Intense, intermittent UV exposure leading to sunburn radically increases your chance of developing potentially deadly melanoma. So why are we sitting back and admiring a young woman with a bad case of sunburn on an Australian reality television show, and not discussing it?
Time to get with the program. The famous line, “I love a sunburnt country”, was written way back in 1908. Sun tanning products became sunscreen products back in the 80s, for a reason. Television shows moved on from showing contestants driving without seatbelts, or smoking, to send the right public health and safety messages. It is time to place the same importance on sending life-saving sun safety messages to impressionable young Australians. We banned sunbeds (another driver for melanoma), time to ban sunburn.
Cheryl’s sunburn was front and centre during Melanoma March, our annual awareness month, when I meet a truly heart-wrenching number of partners and parents who have lost their loved ones to melanoma at 24, 32 or 38. Come on Australia, who is ready to join the conversation and help us end melanoma?
Carole Renouf
CEO, Melanoma Institute Australia
For more information, please contact: Jennifer Durante |Melanoma Institute Australia | 0412 798 990 | jennifer.durante@melanoma.org.au

A message to all Australians from melanoma patient Stuart Taylor
Stuart has advanced melanoma which is not responding to treatment. He has shared his story on ABC's 7:30 in the hope that others can escape the same fate.

Olivia Vivian nominates MIA as Charity Partner on Channel 9's Celebrity Apprentice.
A Ninja Warrior legend and Olympic gymnast, Olivia knows first hand the devastating impact of melanoma.

It's 'Game On Mole' this summer!
All Australians are urged to join the fight against melanoma this summer.

Prof Richard Scolyer named Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year
The ground-breaking work of MIA's Co-Medical Director Prof Richard Scolyer has been recognised with NSW’s highest accolade for cancer research.

Dr James Wilmott wins 2020 Wildfire Highly Cited Publication Award
A landmark study led by MIA's Dr Willmott is making a difference to melanoma treatment around the globe.

MIA researchers feature on prestigious Highly Cited Researchers 2020 List
The highly anticipated annual list is the “who’s who” of the scientific elite from across the globe.

Game On Mole is back this summer!
The uniquely Aussie awareness campaign ‘Game On Mole’ is back for its second year – with a new look but same important message.

RCPA recognition for Professor Richard Scolyer.
Professor Richard Scolyer receives The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Distinguished Fellow Award.

Professor Georgina Long hands on baton of SMR Presidency
Professor Long cites as a highlight of her 2-year Presidency, the phenomenal research output by SMR members who have continued to lead the cancer field despite the impact of COVID-19.

City2Surf 2020
Join in the fun of the virtual event, and together we can run over melanoma!

Top melanoma experts at MIA
Melanoma Institute Australia features prominently in the latest ‘Expertise in Melanoma’ world rankings, released by Expertscape.

Top melanoma experts from MIA
Melanoma Institute Australia features prominently in the latest ‘Expertise in Melanoma’ world rankings, released by Expertscape.

Melanoma Supportive Care Needs research study.
Participate in our online survey and help us understand the support needs of melanoma patients and carers.

Research reveals long-term benefit of adjuvant therapy for Stage III melanoma

New data reveals long-term benefit of adjuvant therapy for Stage III melanoma.

New online melanoma risk calculators critical to saving lives
Clinicians and their patients now have access to three online risk calculators developed by researchers at Melanoma Institute Australia.

Professor Richard Scolyer receives University of Sydney Alumni Award.
MIA's Co-Medical Director Professor Richard Scolyer has received The University of Sydney Alumni Award for International Achievement.

Uniting together despite the distance
More than 120 MIA clinicians, researchers and staff came together online to share research highlights.

Professor Richard Scolyer recognised in The Pathologist's 2020 Power List.
For the 2nd consecutive year, MIA's Co-Medical Director Professor Richard Scolyer has been selected in the top 100 best, brightest, and most powerful advocates of pathology by The Pathologist.

Important Update: Masks required at Poche Centre
As of Monday 27th July all patients and carers/family members coming into The Poche Centre will be required to bring their own mask.