QIMR Berghofer researchers have found that nearly a third of melanomas picked up during routine skin checks may not be harmful.

The findings highlight the need for further research to determine why some melanomas appear to stay dormant and undetected for long period of time.

It also may lead to more accurate diagnostic tools which might spare some people the anxiety associated with a melanoma diagnosis.
 
Professor David Whiteman, who led the study, said the results suggest up to 29 per cent of melanomas detected during skin checks may never have come to light if that person wasn't screened.