Melanoma myths

"Apps in development are working towards this, but we’re not there yet. You can use an app to capture images of your moles to share with your GP & to help ‘teach’ the apps what to look for."

Professor Monika Janda, Behavioural Psychologist at the UQ Centre for Health Service Research, gives us the facts about mobile phone apps.

"Melanoma is the most common cancer in young Australians, with many patients presenting in their 20s & 30s from avoidable exposure in their childhood & teenage years."

Dr Erin McMeniman, Dermatologist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital busts the myth that young people don't get melanoma.

"AI isn’t ready to replace humans yet, but it could be a useful tool to support the expertise of skin doctors in the detection of skin changes & melanoma to inform treatment pathways."

Dr Anthony Raphael, Research Fellow at The University of Queensland, busts the myth that Artificial Intelligence will replace skin doctors.

"The Facts: We see families where a number of people have developed melanoma, but this is generally from a shared environmental risk such as sun exposure, combined with genetic predisposition."

Dr Aideen McInerney-Leo, Genetic Councillor at The University of Queensland's Diamantina Institute, busts the myth that skin cancer runs in the family.

"As many as 10% of melanoma are amelanotic or hypopigmented, meaning the melanoma lacks pigment and can be cream, pale, pink or skin coloured & difficult to detect."

Dr Jenna Rayner, Clinical Research Assistant at The University of Queensland's Dermatology Research Centre, busts the myth that melanoma are always black or brown.

"If caught early, skin cancer may in some cases be removed by cutting it off. However, if it has metastasised the cancer may spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs and lymph nodes."

Dr Erin McMeniman, Dermatologist at  the Princess Alexandra Hospital, busts the myth that skin cancer isn’t serious.