Skin Cancer in NZ

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in New Zealand and kills around 250 people every year.

It can affect both sexes, young and old, and is particularly tragic when young families are left behind.

There are several factors contributing towards our high rates of skin cancer. These include the outdoors lifestyle and the desire for a tan, sun exposure and skin damage - especially during childhood, proximity of New Zealand to the sun and clear unpolluted skies leading to less UV filtration.

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. It may present as a new spot or freckle that changes and becomes larger, more irregular and darker. If left untreated it can spread to internal organs causing death.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the next most dangerous and often can look like scaley patches appearing in sun-exposed areas. The most common is Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and the risk with this disease is local spread and destruction of tissues.

Our aim at Skinsite is to detect and treat these skin cancers as early as possible, to thus minimise the potential harm from these cancers, and to achieve and maintain healthy skin for life.