Australians could have skin cancer diagnosed earlier using world-first 3D scanning technology with the launch of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation- Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis.

According to University of Queensland Dermatologist Professor H. Peter Soyer, the technology enabled researchers to track moles and skin spots over time using full body mapping, making it a game-changer for melanoma detection.

For the first time, medical researchers can access a national database of up to 100,000 patient images taken by 3D full body imaging systems located in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, as part of the world’s largest melanoma imaging trial, which aims to develop more efficient and effective screening for the early detection of skin cancer.  

“Using algorithms created by artificial intelligence, the 3D imaging systems are able to analyse the images and produce a full body skin spot map, which transforms the way we will monitor patients in the future”, Prof Soyer added.