Melanoma is declining among young Australians, says pioneering cancer specialist Professor Adele Green.

“We are very optimistic that decades of campaigns are starting to work,” she says.

Research is showing significant drops in all types of skin cancers among adolescents, but it is essential for people to continue protecting themselves and their children from the sun.

“It has been slow but sure progress to get to this point,” says Prof Green, a speaker at the announcement of four research grants totalling $8.4 million.

The Australian Cancer Research Foundation grants go to the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland, the Children’s Medical Research Institute in NSW, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

“These four research initiatives are the best of the best by world-class standards,” foundation chief executive David Brettell says.

“Australian researchers punch well above their weight on an international playing field.”

He says the grants provide scientists with tools to speed up discoveries in prevention, diagnosis and cures for all types of cancer.