Skin Cancer Facts and Figures
Skin Cancer Facts and Figures
Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders. The total number of new melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer cases amounts to around 80 percent of all new cancers each year.
New Zealand, along with Australia, has among the highest melanoma rates in the world. In 2008, the year for which most recent figures are available, melanoma was the fourth most common cancer, with 2,256 registered cases (1180 males and 1076 females). It was also the sixth most common cause of death from cancer that year.
There are an approximate 67,000 new non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) cases each year. However, providing an exact figure for the number of non-melanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) is difficult as, unlike melanoma, they are not required to be notified under the Cancer Registry Act 1993. Although mortality rates for NMSCs are very low, the large number of cases imposes a significant burden on the health system.
Like other cancers, melanoma occurs most often in older people, but can also affect younger people. In 2008, among people aged 25 to 44 years, melanoma was the leading cancer among males, while among females aged 25 to 44 years it was the second most common cancer. Melanoma was also the second most common cancer among females under 25 years.
Each year, there are over 250 deaths from melanoma, and around 100 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers. In 2008, there were 317 deaths (202 male and 115 female) from melanoma. Melanoma was also the leading cause of cancer death among people aged 25 to 44 years.
In terms of gender, men have a higher overall incidence rate and thicker melanomas and, consequently, poorer outcomes than women. In 2008, the melanoma death rate among men was twice that of females. The gender difference in both incidence and thickness is particularly marked in older people.
There are also ethnic differences in melanoma incidence and mortality. While the number of melanoma found among Maori is still far smaller than among non-Maori, melanoma incidence is increasing among Maori. In 2008, there were 23 cases (10 male and 13 female) and four deaths among Maori. Although Maori and Pacific people have significantly lower melanoma rates, melanoma tends to be detected at a later and potentially more dangerous stage among these groups.
Refer to New Zealand Cancer Registry: www.health.govt.nz
