Research led by La Trobe University has been granted $2.8 million in Australian Government funding through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Loddon Mallee's melanoma rates are 34 per cent above the state average, highlighting a significant burden of skin cancer incidence within the region. Local health services are keen to make sure residents receive high quality treatment as early as possible.
Professor Leigh Kinsman from La Trobe’s Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research said the project would bring together primary care, community health, cancer services and Aboriginal organisations to reduce wait times for skin cancer treatment.
Organisations involved include the Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service, Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group, Bendigo Community Health Services and Murray Primary Health Network.
Professor Kinsman said the project, known as RISE4SkinCancer, would improve the patient journey between primary, community and acute care in locations right across the Loddon Mallee region which includes over 20 hospitals and health services
“Melanoma and other skin cancers called Squamous and Basal cell carcinomas in the Loddon Mallee region are a serious issue, yet most skin cancers are non-life threatening with timely treatment and could be managed in primary care,” Professor Kinsman said.
“RISE4SkinCancer plans to improve the quality of life for people living in the region with skin cancer by developing and testing models that builds primary care capacity and improves access to care in a financially viable and time-effective manner.
“In doing so, we expect to provide valuable evidence to narrow the unacceptable gap in skin cancer mortality and morbidity between rural and metropolitan Australians.”
Loddon Mallee is Victoria's largest health region, with skin cancer identified as a priority for health care providers like Bendigo Health.
Other barriers to skin cancer assessment and treatment reported by locals included distance, lower health literacy, difficulty accessing GPs, treatment delays and a lack of communication between health services.
“This project is an opportunity to celebrate our partnership with Loddon Mallee service providers, following several months of consultation with health clinicians, managers, researchers, policymakers and consumers,” Professor Kinsman said.
Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service (LMICS) is one of nine state government cancer service improvement networks combining 23-member health services, with skin cancer a strong focus of their work.
“RISE4Skin Cancer will allow very significant systemic and strategic improvements for patients and health services for this Loddon Mallee region,” LMICS Manager Cheryl Martin said.
La Trobe University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Industry Engagement Professor Chris Pakes said the University was committed to working with and supporting regional Victorians.
“We have university campuses across Victoria, our academics are active participants in these local communities and our research reflects this,” Professor Pakes said.
“I congratulate Leigh’s research team and health service providers, particularly Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service, on this success and their commitment to improve health outcomes in Loddon Mallee.”
PHOTO: Professor Leigh Kinsman, Cheryl Martin, Professor Jane Mills and Dr Tom Dewar.
Media Contact
Jess Whitty - j.whitty@latrobe.edu.au, 0481 383 817
