Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells.

It's very common

Skin cancer is the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders.

Skin cancers are commonly put into two groups - melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, with melanoma being the most dangerous.

More than 2,000 melanomas are reported each year in New Zealand. In addition,  over 80,000 other skin cancers (such as squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas) are treated.

See some facts and figures about skin cancer in New Zealand.

Find out more about reported cancers in New Zealand.

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer. If left untreated, it can spread rapidly to other parts of the body.

Melanoma example

Melanoma can:

• appear as a new spot
• be an existing spot, freckle or mole that changes colour, size or shape
• sometimes be itchy or bleed
• look different to other spots
• appear anywhere on the body (even on parts that aren’t usually exposed to the sun, such as the soles of your feet or under your toenails)
• be raised ('sticky out') and look shiny in appearance
• appear quickly.

DermNet New Zealand’s website provides more images of melanoma.

Visit Melanoma NZ for more information about melanoma.

View Melanoma the burning issue - an excellent 30-minute documentary produced by Southern Television in 2016.  

What Non-melanoma skin cancer

The two common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are:

• basal cell carcinomas (BCC)
• squamous cell carcinomas (SCC).

Basal cell carcinoma

BCCs can appear as a slowly-growing, pale red or pearly smooth lump, usually on the face or neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma

SCCs often appear as a tender, raised, crusty, non-healing sore. They are commonly found on the hands, forearms, ears, face, neck or lower legs. SCCs on the lips and ears have a high risk of spreading.

DermNet New Zealand’s website provides more images of both BCCs and SCCs.

If you are concerned about any spot or lump, get it checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Visit the Cancer Society of New Zealand for more information on skin cancer.

Read Stuff's August 2016 article 'Common lumps and bumps on and under the skin'.

_{This content has been reviewed by Dr Amanda Oakley CNZM MBChB PGDipHealInf FRACP FNZDS IFAAD on 14/11/2021.}