The meeting was held in the Northern Rivers region due to its significant local context regarding melanoma. Specifically:
• Highest Incidence of Melanoma: The Northern Rivers region of New South Wales has the highest incidence of melanoma recorded in the country. The local government areas (LGAs) of Ballina, Lismore, and Byron are among the top five in the entire state for melanoma incidence, with Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour also being in the top five, and Tweed in the top ten.
• High Survivability Rate: Despite the high incidence, the region also boasts the highest survivability rate for melanoma. This is attributed to the diligent work of General Practitioners (GPs) in early detection.
• Need for Education and Collaboration: Given these statistics, there is a clear and pressing need for such a meeting in the Northern Rivers, fostering collaboration and education among local specialists and those from the Melanoma Institute Australia