Statistics

Some New Zealand statistics:

• Over 300 New Zealanders are dying from skin cancer every year. 
• Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders. 
• Of the 3 most common skin cancers, melanoma is the most serious. 
• NZ has one of the highest melanoma death rates in the world. The most recent statistics are for 2001, showing 244 reported deaths from melanoma in that year. 
• In 2001 there 96 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers. 
• Skin cancer costs the New Zealand health system about $33 million a year, making skin cancer one of the most expensive cancers for the NZ health system (Skin Cancer Costs PDF document - 90Kb). 
• It has been estimated that, for every death from skin cancer, an average of 17.4 potential years of life are lost.
• The vast majority of skin cancers are preventable - it has been estimated that over 90% of melanomas in Australasia are attributable to sunlight exposure. 
• Exposure before the age of 20 years is a particularly strong risk factor for melanoma incidence.

Research

Research is crucial to Skin Cancer Control. The policies and strategies used in Skin Cancer Control need to be evidence based. This means they are more likely to reduce the proportion of New Zealanders who develop and die from skin cancer.

Research includes:

• National Sun Safety Survey
  Started in 1993, this ongoing sun protection research takes place every three years, and collects information on New Zealanders' sun protection behaviour and attitudes. 
• Communications evaluation
  Each summer season the public awareness campaign is tracked and evaluated so it can be improved and refined as required. 
• Event and activities evaluation
  Key community relationships are evaluated annually. 
• Project related research and evaluation
  This is undertaken for specific projects or issues, including looking at sun safety in relation to vitamin D, shade, primary schools, local Councils and outdoor workers. Environmental research around issues such as ozone depletion, and UVR and altitude are also undertaken.

Groups such as The Social and Behavioural Research in Cancer Group, at Otago University, also contribute significantly to knowledge in this area.