Cancer Society and skin cancer prevention
Cancer Society
Cancer Society New Zealand aims to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer.
New Zealand's Skin Cancer Prevention Programme
In New Zealand, the prevention of skin cancer and the promotion of sun safety is led by the Cancer Society of New Zealand , Te Aho o Te Kahu Cancer Control Agency, Melanoma NZ, and the Melanoma Network of New Zealand Incorporated (MelNet).
Since 1993, activities have been promoted under the SunSmart brand.
Other organisations and professionals working in this area include:
- DermNet New Zealand.
- MetService.
- Ministry of Health:
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
- Public health units within district health boards.
- Doctors and nurses with a special interest in skin cancer.
- Specialists (dermatologists, surgeons, plastic surgeons).
New Zealand Skin Cancer Primary Prevention and Early Detection Strategy 2017 to 2022
This five year Strategy identifies five intervention pathways for reducing the incidence and impact of skin cancer:
- primary prevention
- early detection
- diagnosis and treatment
- rehabilitation support and palliative care, and
- research, evaluation and surveillance.
The focus of the Strategy is on primary prevention and the early detection pathways.
The Strategy includes an up-to-date analysis of the epidemiology of skin cancer in New Zealand and discussion of the risk factors for skin cancer, evidence based interventions to reduce exposure to UV radiation that causes harm and the importance of early diagnosis.
Download New Zealand Skin Cancer Primary Prevention and Early Detection Strategy 2017 to 2022 (PDF 1.15MB).
In March 2017 Te Hiringa Hauora|Health Promotion Agency, in partnership with MelNet, released this five year Strategy on-line (2017 to 2022).
Two supporting documents were finalised by HPA in February 2017 for core group members - an agency outputs diagram and an indicators table.