Facts and figures
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand.
Most skin cancers are treated by your GP or skin specialist. A much smaller number need treatment at hospital.
- It is estimated that over 90,000 Kiwis get non melanoma skin cancer each year.
- Each year more than 2,000 melanomas are diagnosed.
- The total cost of treating skin cancers is estimated to be as much as $180 million each year.
The following boxes summarise the latest figures (2018) from the Ministry of Health
Melanoma Reported
2,738 people
(1,538 males and 1,200 females)
51 Māori
(22 males and 29 females)
Third most commonly reported (registered) cancer
Skin Cancer Deaths
500 deaths from skin cancer
12 Māori
(9 males and 3 females)
Of these, 296 deaths were from melanoma and 204 deaths from other types of skin cancer.
More New Zealanders die from melanoma than die on our roads. The good news is that most melanomas can be successfully treated by your doctor.