Australia's National Skin Cancer Scorecard

2025: Australia’s first evidence-based Scorecard for Skin Cancer

MSCAN and the Australasian College of Dermatologists have developed Australia’s first National Skin Cancer Scorecard to track how well the sector is working to address Australia’s national cancer.

The Skin Cancer Scorecard provides an opportunity for the sector to unite in tracking our collective efforts to reduce the burden of melanoma and skin cancer and drive measurable change for all Australians.

The Skin Cancer Scorecard was informed by patients, clinicians, researchers and the broader skin cancer sector and identifies 16 priorities for the sector to drive advocacy, policy and action to tackle skin cancer in Australia. These priorities are grouped by:

Prevention of skin cancer (Items 1-4)

Early detection of skin cancer (Items 5-6)

Treatment of skin cancer (Items 7-9)

Support and care after diagnosis (Items 10-11)

Foundational support for skin cancer management (Foundational Items 1-5).

The Skin Cancer Scorecard is supported by an accompanying Report detailing a comprehensive analysis of Australia’s progress in reducing the burden of skin cancer, identifying achievements to be celebrated and highlighting critical gaps to be addressed.

The Skin Cancer Scorecard identifies six areas with a rating of minimal progress that require attention:

improved sun protection in secondary schools

provision of shade in high-risk public areas

equitable access to multidisciplinary care

better sun protection for outdoor sports

equitable access to psychosocial support and care, and

strengthened funding and regulation of virtual care models and digital technologies.

Priority groups for focused action:

Under-30s, for whom melanoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and

Regional and rural Australians, who face higher skin cancer rates and poorer outcomes.

The Skin Cancer Scorecard highlights where data is needed to inform action in addressing skin cancer, particularly tracking the quality of life for people experiencing skin cancer and understanding the true burden of keratinocyte cancers.

Australia’s first National Skin Cancer Scorecard

Full report

The Scorecard is for:

How to use the Skin Cancer Scorecard

Sector stakeholders can leverage the Skin Cancer Scorecard in delivering their own strategic priorities, aligning efforts with the national cancer plans and driving efficiencies in service delivery, advocacy, research and education.

Sector stakeholders are welcome to endorse the Skin Cancer Scorecard and use it to inform and support their own work and their stakeholders.

Future versions of the Skin Cancer Scorecard

First launched in November 2025, the Skin Cancer Scorecard will be systematically reviewed and updated for publication every 5 years to ensure it is a reliable tool.

To inform the 2030 Skin Cancer Scorecard, over the next five years MSCAN and ACD will:

welcome feedback and advice from the sector on the scorecard

host collaborative planning sessions to discuss the next steps for each scorecard item

update data for each scorecard item and action

conduct a scorecard review in 2030 to measure, evaluate and renew the scorecard items.

Why now

The 10 year Australian Cancer Plan and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan, both released in 2023, are important foundations for a renewed focus on strategic action, advocacy and accountability. Now is an opportune time to consolidate the skin cancer sector’s needs, leverage the momentum of the Cancer Plans and unite our efforts in a targeted, equitable, accessible, data-driven, collaborative and measurable way.

Get in touch

To provide feedback or get involved, please contact info@mscan.org.au

Australia’s National Skin Cancer Scorecard