NZ melanoma deaths drop by a third over the past decade

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-05-17 00:01

New Zealand

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Deaths from melanoma have reduced by one third over the past decade in New Zealand despite no overall decrease in new cases. Authors of an Editorial in the New Zealand Medical Journal say this is most likely due to increased awareness which leads to earlier diagnosis, as well as more effective diagnostic services and treatments.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Deaths from melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, have reduced greatly in the last 10 years. Deaths have reduced by about one third. This is most likely due to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. There has been increasing awareness of early disease and more effective diagnostic services. There have also been new drug treatments for advanced melanoma. However, melanoma remains a big problem, and the numbers of new cases of melanoma has not reduced.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Clinical Trials New Zealand

Funder: N/A

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