NZ world’s worst for skin cancer

Living life in the glare of the world’s harshest UV levels has meant New Zealand is once again top the list for the world’s highest rates of skin cancer.

New research published Derma.plus, a German medical analyst group, found some 2500 Kiwis were diagnosed with melanoma each year – overtaking neighbouring Australia which came in second place.

Despite the grim top-of-the-table position, New Zealanders’ mortality from skin cancer was found to be much lower than many other nations, with higher levels of health spending a factor.

The treatment of skin cancer – a preventable disease – costs the health system more than $57 million a year.

The analysis of 62 countries’ melanoma diseases data looked at spending data from the World Bank, and life-quality data from the Human Development Index.

The purpose of the study was to better understand the ‘‘geographical and geopolitical factors’’ that made skin cancer rates by the more common, and in some cases deadly, in some parts of the world, particularly with the disease becoming more common globally.

‘‘Worldwide, more than 3 million nonmelanoma skin cancers and 150,000 melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed each year,’’ Derma.plus spokesman Dietrick Abeck said.

‘‘One in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer.’’

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. However, if detected early, it can be one of the easiest to cure.

The new research sparked a renewed call to action by Consumer NZ to make sunscreen standards mandatory.

Chief executive Sue Chetwin said last year it tested 20 sunscreens against the Australian and New Zealand standard and found only nine met their SPF label claim and the requirements for broad-spectrum protection.

‘‘Our test found some natural sunscreens only provided low protection. One didn’t meet high protection or broad spectrum claims and two companies – including one big brand – provided test certificates for similar, but not identical sunscreens,’’ Chetwin said.

‘‘One in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer.’’