New mobile skin cancer van launched to provide free skin cancer checks to Australians living in remote and regional areas of Victoria and southern New South Wales
Residents of rural and regional areas will be offered improved access to skin checking services through this mobile approach.
A new skin cancer facility on wheels will visit over 40 locations from May 2021, as part of a new partnership between Lions International, local Lions Clubs in Victoria and southern New South Wales, and Minderoo Foundation.
The van will provide a free skin check service, catering to people in rural and regional areas who have limited access to specialist skin care professionals.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Despite public awareness about the risks of skin cancer, people often remain ambivalent about getting checked for possible lesions. A large semi-trailer parked in town makes it top of mind and easy for locals to get checked.
The van – which will be operated by fully trained, certificated and professionally supervised volunteers – will provide a valuable service to locals by offering skin checks and information about skin care and self-checking techniques.
The unit emulates similar programs conducted in other parts of Australia, where skin checks are resulting in high numbers of referrals to specialists for potentially life-threatening skin cancer growths.
Established by Andrew and Nicola Forrest in 2001, we are a modern philanthropic organisation seeking to break down barriers, innovate and drive positive, lasting change. Minderoo Foundation is proudly Australian, with eight key initiatives spanning from ocean research and ending slavery, to collaboration in cancer and community projects.
