Regular self-exams, skin checks by specialists, prompt screening and early treatment are key to beating skin cancer. While some risk factors for skin cancer are genetic, others are related to lifestyle and can be modified. Taking extra steps to protect your skin can go a long way towards lowering your risk of developing skin cancer.
Many skin cancer treatments and medications are publicly funded in New Zealand. However, some newer Medsafe-approved drugs are not covered by our government’s Pharmac funding, which means patients need access to health insurance benefits or to find other ways to fund expensive treatments.
Melanoma is one of the most common cancers among Kiwi men and women, and the number of new cases and deaths continues to rise. In 2011, there were 2,211 new melanoma registrations in New Zealand and 359 deaths. In 2020, melanoma accounted for 2,801 new cancer cases and claimed 472 lives.
New Zealand’s high number of skin cancer cases are caused by a number of factors:
many inhabitants with fair skin or light skin tone
predominantly outdoor lifestyle
Skin cancers are malignant tumours formed by mutations in skin cell DNA. These mutations cause uncontrolled growth of the skin cells.
There are two main types of skin cancer: Keratinocyte carcinoma (nonmelanoma) and melanoma.
Nonmelanoma skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which are the most common types of skin cancer. These usually form on parts of the body that get the most sun exposure, such as the neck or head. They don’t spread as aggressively as melanomas, and are generally less life-threatening.
Among skin cancers, BCC is the most common and the least dangerous, but if left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body.
Though BCC usually occurs in older adults, it can also develop in people in their early 40s or even younger.
BCC often starts in parts of the body that are most exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears.
BCC can appear as a:
pearly white or smooth lump
waxy bump or scar
SCC can develop on sun-exposed parts of the body such as the face, forehead, ears, lips, nose, neck, hands, and forearms. These SCCs may be hard to see on darker skin tones.
SCC is more common among individuals over 40 years old who have spent a lot of time outdoors. It is curable, especially if detected and treated at the early stages. If it progresses to an advanced stage, it can be life-threatening.
SCC may look like a:
red swelling
lesion that refuses to heal
Bowen disease (squamous cell carcinoma ‘in situ’)
Unlike invasive SCC that spreads inside the body, Bowen disease develops on the skin’s surface. It appears as scaly red or pink patches which may be flat or raised and can be easily mistaken for a rash or eczema.
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It starts from melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for our skin colour. Melanoma is able to spread very quickly throughout the body and can become life-threatening.
Melanoma can:
start from an existing freckle or develop as a new spot, possibly a different shape or colour than others
begin as a benign mole that grows or changes its colour or shape
The main cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) light, primarily from sun exposure or tanning beds. Other factors that can increase your risk of developing skin cancer include:
Skin cancers can start out as changes to existing moles or spots, or as new lesions or growths.
Visit a skin specialist, GP, or a skin check service when you notice moles, freckles, or spots on your skin that:
Early detection and treatment are key to beating skin cancer. Specialists can give you regular skin checks or you can do monthly self-examinations.
Regular skin checks are even more crucial for Kiwis who are over 50 years old, those who have had skin cancer in the past, or anyone who identifies with the other higher risk factors for developing skin cancer.
Becoming familiar with your own skin will improve your chances of spotting possible cancers, and getting them seen and treated while still in the early stages. Do thorough self-examinations at home and check every inch of your skin for unusual spots.
When doing self-exams, start at your head and scalp and work down. To check hard-to-see areas like your scalp, neck or back, use a handheld mirror or ask someone else to examine these areas for abnormal spots.
Keep in mind that skin cancer can develop even in parts of your body that are not exposed to the sun. So be sure to examine ‘hidden’ areas like your armpit, groin, inner leg, the soles of your feet and the skin between your fingers and toes.
When doing a self-exam, keep in mind the ‘ABCDE’ of skin cancer:
Medical tracking apps such as SkinVision (some elements of which are free but others require a small fee) let you take photos of spots or lesions so you can monitor changes in their size or appearance. Some apps also send notifications to remind you to perform regular skin exams.
Skin specialists or doctors can do a full examination to check for moles or patches. If they find a suspicious spot, they may take a tissue sample (biopsy) to confirm the diagnosis or to identify the cancer type.
When staging or determining the skin cancer’s severity, doctors consider several factors such as:
Early-stage skin cancers can often be treated successfully. Advanced skin cancers are harder to cure and can be life-threatening.
Most skin cancers can be treated through surgery. The treatment plan may also depend on factors like:
Skin cancer treatment options include:
Melanoma treatment may include:
Several treatment options, including immunotherapies, may be funded by Pharmac. But other life-prolonging medications are not publicly funded. Patients with non-funded medications cover on their health insurance plans can use their benefits to fund these often very expensive medical treatments.
To find out more about non-Pharmac funded treatment cover, book a FREE consultation with a Policywise adviser.
Skin cancers can develop complications or become aggressive if they are not treated early. This may lead to:
Regular self-exams can help you catch precancerous lesions or any suspicious spots before they spread.
Most skin cancers are due to UV damage. Keep in mind that the sun’s UV rays can still damage your skin even on cloudy days. So always protect your skin, whether under the hot sun or on a winter day.
There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors while minimising your risk of developing skin cancer.
And if you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines, ask a pharmacist or doctor if they increase your sensitivity to light. If they do, take extra steps to protect your skin from the sun.
While many skin cancer treatments and medications are publicly funded in New Zealand, other life-prolonging drugs are not. Long wait times in some hospitals also add to patients’ stress. It’s not uncommon to wait eight weeks to receive a first specialist assessment, and closer to nine weeks to get a first round of treatment.
Patients who want to access private hospitals, where waitlists are shorter, or to access Medsafe approved non-Pharmac funded drugs have to pay for these out of their own pocket if they don’t have appropriate health insurance cover.
Below is some general information on the costs of treatment without health insurance.
Cancer treatments
1 AIA Health Claims Data, 1 July 2019–30 June 2020. 2 Thomas, R & Mussen, D. “Desperate Melanoma Patients Forced to Fundraise for Life-Extending Treatment.” Stuff, 16 Feb. 2016. stuff.co.nz/national/health/76886372/desperate-melanoma-patients-forced-to-fundraise-for-life-extending-treatment. 3 Goodwin, E. “Melanoma Drugs Come at a Cost.” Otago Daily Times, 30 Apr. 2015, odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/melanoma-drugs-come-cost.
Health insurance can give you more options to shield your family from the financial burden of cancer. Having better healthcare alternatives – such as being able to afford life-prolonging non-funded medications, or to access private facilities instead of sitting on public hospital waitlists – can give you peace of mind and more quality time.
Your health insurance may cover your:
A Policywise adviser can help you compare health insurance plans and the scope of their cancer cover benefits and inclusions.
To help you choose a plan, we summarise and compare products from top-rated health insurance companies. Download the full chart or contact us to request a quote comparison today.
Some life insurers also pay out lump sums to critically ill patients. Book a call with a Policywise adviser to discuss how life and health insurance plans can help with the financial toll of cancer.