Melanoma news, cure & treatment: Australian researchers develop breakthrough melanoma blood test; Liquid biopsy detects cancer within hours

Source: International Business Times, November 2016

Victoria is rolling out a revolutionary melanoma blood test that can diagnose the disease within hours, thereby greatly improving patients’ chances of overcoming the disease. This liquid-biopsy is an Australian-first that allows patients to begin treatment immediately. It cuts weeks off the time taken to detect the fatal skin cancer.

Medical experts are hailing this new melanoma blood test as a major step forward in rolling out routine use of liquid biopsies for the purpose of cancer care in Victoria, reports Herald Sun.

“We’re putting cancer patients first and investing in world leading cancer research and future technologies that have the power to save lives … It will mean patients can get diagnosed and treated sooner, without having to endure long and anxious waits and invasive and painful surgery,” said Health Minister Jill Hennessy.