A new study has found the concerning statistics that New Zealand has the highest melanoma death rate in the world in 2020.
The new study by JAMA Dermatology, which investigated the burden of cutaneous melanoma around the world, found there was an estimated worldwide total of 325,000 new melanoma cases and 57,000 deaths in 2020.
The rates were highest in New Zealand followed by Australia, Western Europe, North America and Northern Europe while melanoma was rare in most African and Asian countries, the scientists say.
The study also predicted based on the rates in 2020, melanoma cases will increase to 510,000, which is about a 50 percent increase and to 96,000 deaths, which is a 68 percent increase by 2040.
The reaction from health experts has been fierce with some saying more needs to be done around the education on preventing melanoma.
Dr Geri McLeod from the University of Otago said the results send a clear message to the government that more investment is needed to reduce the amount of Kiwis getting melanoma.
"Previous research has shown that the New Zealand population is too optimistic about their ability to sun-protect and as a consequence are experiencing sunburn," Dr McLeod said.
"This is known as the sunburn paradox. That is, individuals have a tendency to incorrectly believe that their chosen sun protection method will be adequate. For example, we often see media reports of people becoming badly sunburned after only using sunscreen as their form of sun protection."
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Dr McLeod said the easiest way to protect yourself from excess UV radiation is to restrict outdoor activity when UV rays are at their peak, which is usually around lunchtime.
"To properly protect the skin from excess UV radiation when outdoors, we need to use physical cover such as a shirt and hat, in addition to seeking shade where practical," Dr McLeod said.
"The use of sunscreen should only be an adjunct form of sun protection, rather than the main/only form of sun protection used.
"It is very important that those using sunscreen use it properly by applying enough, applying prior to going outdoors, apply a second coat of sunscreen to cover any thin spots and gaps missed in the first coat, and reapplying frequently when outdoors.
"Therefore, this study has shown that education campaigns such as the successful SunSmart programs launched in Australia need to be continued."
Amanda Oakley, an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Auckland said New Zealand having the world's highest mortality from melanoma is not news to Kiwi experts.
"Not only are our incident and mortality rates high (especially in males more than 50 years old), but we have a burgeoning ageing population of white New Zealanders (baby boomers) that baked in the sun during their youth or have worked outdoors with little protection from sunburn or daily relentless ultraviolet radiation -- the cause of greater than 90 percent of melanomas in New Zealand," Oakley said.
"Our health services are under a great strain with far too few dermatologists, surgical specialists, and GPs to effectively manage our skin cancer epidemic.
