Frazer on the verge of creating first skin cancer vaccine

The pioneering scientist, who discovered a vaccine for cervical cancer, has revealed the skin cancer vaccine could be ready within the next five to 10 years, News Limited reports.

Prof Frazer envisages the vaccine could be given to millions of children between the ages of 10 and 12.

Human trials are expected to begin next year after testing on animals was shown to be successful.

Professor Frazer will reveal the progress of his ground-breaking work at the Australian Health and Medical Research Congress in Brisbane on Sunday.

"If we can get encouraging results we will try and push it on as fast as we can," Prof Frazer told News Limited.

"It's really a given that we try to focus on health problems that are significant ones."

More than 380,000 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer, with 1600 people per year dying of the disease.