The IMAGE trial

Melanoma surveillance photography to improve early detection of melanoma

Melanoma surveillance photography is a comprehensive surveillance method.

To date, there is insufficient evidence that Melanoma Surveillance Photography improves outcomes. Currently, melanoma surveillance photography is not used routinely during skin examinations as part of ‘standard care’.

Melanoma Surveillance Photography is not reimbursed by Medicare and is often costly.

This project will test whether people who are monitored with Melanoma Surveillance Photography, have fewer benign lesions removed or sampled, compared to those who do not have Melanoma Surveillance Photography.

The IMAGE clinical trial will help provide the information needed by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (the committee advising the Australian Government on the public funding of new medical services), to decide if Melanoma Surveillance Photography should be covered by Medicare.

Professor H. Peter Soyer, Director of The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, with melanoma screening system, VECTRA

Trial resources

Instructional video

IMAGE trial team

  • Associate Professor Victoria Mar (Study Chair) 
  • Professor Rory Wolfe
  • Professor Rachel Morton
  • Professor Peter Soyer
  • Professor Anne Cust
  • Professor Pascale Guitera
  • Professor Monika Janda
  • Professor John Kelly 
  • Associate Professor Paul Fishburn
  • Associate Professor Robyn Saw
  • Dr Alan Herschtal
  • Professor Pablo Fernández-Peñas

Trial sites currently recruiting participants

Victoria

Victorian Melanoma Service, Alfred Health, Melbourne
Email: vmstrials@alfred.org.au | Phone: +61 3 9076 0816

Skin Health Institute, Carlton
Email: schivers@skinhealthinstitute.org.au | Phone: +61 3 9623 9465

Wonthaggi Hospital, Bass Coast Health, Wonthaggi
Email: vmtrials@basscoasthealth.org.au | Phone: +61 3 5671 3353

Phillip Island Health Hub, Bass Coast Health, Cowes Email: vmtrials@basscoasthealth.org.au | Phone: +61 3 5671 3353

Bendigo Cancer Centre Research Unit, Bendigo Health, Bendigo
Email: cancerresearch@bendigohealth.org.au | Phone: +61 3 5454 7210

New South Wales

Newcastle Skin Check, Newcastle, NSW
Email: info@newcastleskincheck.com.au | Phone: +61 2 4032 8700

Dermatology Clinical Trials Unit, Westmead Hospital, NSW
Email: wslhd-dermatology-clinicaltrials@health.nsw.gov.au | Phone: +61 2 8890 5686

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital & Melanoma Institute Australia, NSW
Email: Jo.Dalton@melanoma.org.au | Phone: +61 2 9911 7303

Queensland

Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane 
Email: k.nufer@uq.edu.au | Phone: +61 7 3443 7481

FNQH Cairns Skin Cancer Centre, Cairns
Email: management@fnqh.com.au | Phone: +61 7 4040 5800

Skin Repair Skin Cancer Clinic, Townsville
Email: reception@skinrepair.net.au | Phone: +61 7 4779 0099

Contact and more information

IMAGE trial news and patient stories

To contact the IMAGE clinical trial email image@masc.org.au 

IMAGE clinical trial Registration ID: NCT04385732

For information on how to participate in a clinical trial, click here