A leading skin cancer specialist wants the Government to fund full-body melanoma skin checks for high-risk Kiwis.
A recent report found New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma case numbers and deaths in the world, but our prevention and treatment are falling behind.
As Kiwis ease their way into winter, the last of the summer sun is welcome. But what's not welcome is the damage hiding in its golden glow.
Kiwi Martin Gunman knows all too well - he spent his youth outdoors.
"Typical North Shore boy outside at the beaches, running around, and a young builder, shorts, shirt off," Gunman said.
It may have been those long shirtless days that landed him with several melanomas.
"The latest ones were up here, quite high. And earlier ones in '86 were on my chest and one on my back," he said.
Fortunately, doctors caught the spots early enough to have them removed.
And it's preventative measures like this that Dr Chris Boberg would like to see more of.
"There are over 350 people dying every year in New Zealand of melanoma, and a lot of those could have been caught early and could be alive today," Dr Boberg said.
A recent study found New Zealand had the highest melanoma death rate in the world in 2020, with global cases set to double by 2040.
And it's the prevalence of the cancer that has led Dr Boberg to ask for better from the Government.
"I would love to see some Government funding for this issue, it would make a huge difference," he said.
Dr Boberg wants fully-funded annual skin checks for Kiwis at risk of melanoma.
These checks currently cost several hundred dollars, which is out of reach for many Kiwis.
Royal New Zealand College of GPs medical director Dr Bryan Betty is on board with the idea.
"Anything that encourages a yearly skin check for New Zealanders is positive," Dr Betty said.
But Health Minister Andrew Little said he takes his guidance from the Cancer Control Agency and this isn't something they've mentioned.
"It's just not something I've received on or be urged take any action on," Little said.
Because of his history with melanoma, Gunman would be the sort of person eligible for these annual checks. As would many people over 50 with fair skin and freckles, or a family history of melanoma.
But he's not waiting for funding.
"I treat it as if I've got a cold, or any other ailment I'd go to the doctor about," Gunman said. "I don't wait around, I get it checked out, a number of times it means nothing, but it's that one time you do find it."
