An Australian scientist has become successful with a breakthrough which could pave the way for a skin cancer vaccine, reports said on Sunday.
Tests of the vaccine on animals has proved successful and that human trials could begin as soon as next year.
Frazer, the scientist who developed vaccine in animals said a skin cancer vaccine could be available in five to 10 years.
It would be used on children aged between 10 and 12 to prevent them from developing skin cancer.
Skin cancer causes about 1,600 deaths in Australia each year.
The new vaccine would target papillomavirus, a common infection which can turn abnormal cells into cancer.
Frazer is a University of Queensland researcher and had earlier deloped the cervical cancer vaccine
However, the vaccine may not be able to prevent all skin cancers and should not be considered as alternative to preventive measures to reduce exposure of te sun to the skin
