title: Cutaneous melanoma in Caucasian New Zealanders: 1995-1999.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the spectrum of cutaneous melanoma in Caucasian New Zealanders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from the New Zealand Cancer Registry by way of a computerized search of the melanoma ICD-9 codes from 1995 to 1999. The final database used is for people identifying themselves as European. The denominator population were people stating their ethnicity as European in the 1996 New Zealand Census; all others were excluded. The Cancer Registry Act 1993 made reporting of cancer mandatory. Cancer data before July 1994 are of dubious accuracy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 4966 cases of cutaneous melanoma reported in New Zealand between 1995 and 1999 by people identifying themselves as European. The trends and statistically relevant findings will be discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New Zealand continues to have one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, with an increasing Breslow thickness of melanoma (P < 0.001) over the 5-year period. Men have a higher rate and deeper melanomas than women (P < 0.001). The incidence of melanoma appears to have reached a plateau over the review period. The far north of New Zealand (Whangarei and further north) had the highest rate of melanoma in New Zealand (59.1/100000, age standardized) and the lowest rate is in Southland (23.5/100000).
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Department, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. rimartin@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Richard C W
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000473:pathology; D044465:White People