Skin Cancer

Melanoma only accounts for less than 5% of skin cancers diagnosed in New Zealand. Basal cell carcinomas and Squamous cell carcinomas occur 25x more frequently than Melanoma.

Skin cancers are caused mainly through sun damage to the skin. Many other factors contribute such as genetics, medical conditions and chemical exposure. Taranaki has high sunshine hours combined with a very active population who enjoy being outdoors resulting in high amounts of sun exposure and corresponding damage.

Skin checks performed by accredited skin cancer professionals detect skin cancers in very early stages at which they can be treated with great success. Skin checks have been shown to save lives by detecting skin cancer earlier allowing for earlier treatment.

The most common, usually pink and may bleed or itch. May start as a flat patch or a raised lesion like a pimple. Can grow locally destroying the surrounding tissues.

These often arise from solar/actinic keratoses (sunspots), are usually scaly and may be tender. This type of skin cancer can potentially be more serious as it can spread causing significant complications.

Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells in the skin. Melanoma can arise anywhere on the body, even in areas that have never been exposed to the sun. Melanoma can be raised or flat, fast or slow-growing and can rarely be pink or flesh-coloured (especially in fair-skinned people). It is one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer and needs to be treated early to avoid poor outcomes.

Actinic keratosis is a scaly spot found on sun-damaged skin. It is also known as solar keratosis. It is considered precancerous or an early form of cutaneous Squamous cell carcinoma.