QIMR Berghofer researchers have secured prestigious Medical Research Futures Fund (MRFF) 2025 Genomics Health Futures funding to investigate whether personalised genetic risk information can improve skin cancer screening outcomes.
Led by Associate Professor Matthew Law from the Institute's Statistical Genetics Laboratory, the project will also bring together leading experts in genomics, population health, and skin cancer research from QIMR Berghofer, The University of Queensland, University of Sydney, and Frazer Institute.
The study, titled 'Q-Inform - does knowledge of genetic risk for skin cancer change behavior?' (Q-Inform), will leverage existing genetic and survey information from the QSkin Sun and Health Study (QSkin) database. QSkin is one of the largest cohort studies ever conducted on skin cancer and includes people representative of the Australian population. QSkin is conducted by researchers from QIMR Berghofer who are also members of the Q-Inform team.
4,000 participants aged up to 70 years will be recruited from the QSkin database and randomly assigned to one of three groups. Two groups will receive a personalised assessment of their melanoma risk based on either physical traits (phenotype) or their genetic risk profile (polygenic risk score) as well as receive generic skin cancer education and advice. A third group will just receive the generic education information.
Researchers will examine whether informing participants of their individual risk for developing melanoma is associated with stronger adherence to recommended skin cancer screening guidelines.
"Cutaneous melanoma is highly treatable when detected early. However, population-wide skin screening of everybody is not currently recommended due to concerns around over diagnosis and a lack of evidence that it reduces mortality," said Associate Professor Law.
"This trial will investigate whether it is possible to motivate individuals to adhere to screening best practices by informing them of their genetically-based risk for developing melanoma. This research will determine if it is possible to have risk-tailored screening protocols that minimise unnecessary interventions and costs associated with screening."
The successful grant submission was supported by a consumer and stakeholder panel comprising members of QSkin, the public, and stakeholders including the Skin Cancer College of Australia and the Melanoma & Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN), a national consumer-led organisation working to advance equitable and evidence-based care for people with skin cancer.
The panel will play a vital role in shaping the study, from informing how risk scores and educational materials are communicated through to contributing to trial reports and publications.
"We are looking for the best, clearest, and most effective way to provide people with information about their individual risk of developing melanoma," said Associate Professor Law.
"To achieve this, we need input and guidance from consumers and stakeholders. Their perspectives help us understand what matters to everyday Australians, so we can make sure we provide the most impactful information possible."
MSCAN founder and CEO, Tamara Dawson said that "MSCAN advocates for the right person having the right skin check at the right time, but that's not happening at present."
"This research project is a crucial step towards solving this problem and reducing the burden of melanoma and skin cancer in Australia."
