Facts and figures

• Skin cancer is the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders, with an estimated 60,000 new cases every year.
• More than 300 New Zealanders die from the disease each year.
• Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma death rates in the world. In 2005, the year for which most recent figures are available, there were 2,017 recorded cases of melanoma.
• The vast majority of skin cancers are preventable – it has been estimated that over 90% of melanomas in Australasia are attributable to sun exposure. People just need the best possible opportunities to learn about and practice sun protective behaviours.
• Skin cancer costs the New Zealand health system about $57 million a year, making skin cancer one of the most expensive cancers for our health system.
• It has been estimated that, for every death from skin cancer, an average of 17.4 potential years of life are lost.
• Excess exposure to UV radiation before the age of 20 years is a particularly strong risk factor for melanoma incidence.

Also see the Research and statistics section.

For more information and statistics on skin cancer, get in touch with your local branch of the Cancer Society.