Great commentary Richard. As you know we collect an enormous amount of data on skin types, ethnicity, age, gender, family history, personal history, where one grew up in their childhood/teenage years, number of freckles, sunbed use, indoors and outdoors for recreation and previous full skincheck. We are hoping the University Of Otago will find some use for this data as it has been gathered from some 10,000+ individual history (skin ). Currently they tell us that no data is collected of out workers or indoor/ outdoor workers, but we have it.
On the darker skin types it is notable, that very rarely do they have a skin cancer on their bodies (although we have picked up a number of melanomas and bcc’s on people who identify as Māori), and this maybe due to mixed race factors), but we do find melanomas on their nail beds, soles of feet and palms of hands. Statistically skin type 3-6 are at 40% greater risk than fairer skin types. You are right about Australia and its public health campaigns which have significant funding. Here in NZ the Govt has just reduced the Sun smart funding down to $200,000 dollars, which goes know where. Melnet has also just lost its entire funding so I suspect we will see those death rates from melanoma and skin cancer creep back up again.
On another note I am at NIWA Lauder on Monday if you want a skin check.
Well we can collate the data. We feel we need to refine it a bit with where you grew up in NZ. Currently have country only but from the UVNZ app the UV levels are variable in NZ ( but we at the same time have a very mobile population).
Enjoy San Fran and time with your son. Looks like Substack is going very well. By the way Alan Pattle says hi….I am currently skiing with him.
Great commentary Richard. As you know we collect an enormous amount of data on skin types, ethnicity, age, gender, family history, personal history, where one grew up in their childhood/teenage years, number of freckles, sunbed use, indoors and outdoors for recreation and previous full skincheck. We are hoping the University Of Otago will find some use for this data as it has been gathered from some 10,000+ individual history (skin ). Currently they tell us that no data is collected of out workers or indoor/ outdoor workers, but we have it.
On the darker skin types it is notable, that very rarely do they have a skin cancer on their bodies (although we have picked up a number of melanomas and bcc’s on people who identify as Māori), and this maybe due to mixed race factors), but we do find melanomas on their nail beds, soles of feet and palms of hands. Statistically skin type 3-6 are at 40% greater risk than fairer skin types. You are right about Australia and its public health campaigns which have significant funding. Here in NZ the Govt has just reduced the Sun smart funding down to $200,000 dollars, which goes know where. Melnet has also just lost its entire funding so I suspect we will see those death rates from melanoma and skin cancer creep back up again.
On another note I am at NIWA Lauder on Monday if you want a skin check.
Best regards Trish
Thanks Trish! I’d be very interested is seeing that data myself.
Unfortunately my own (already overdue) skin test will have to wait another year. We’re visiting our son Hamish in SF at the moment.
Well we can collate the data. We feel we need to refine it a bit with where you grew up in NZ. Currently have country only but from the UVNZ app the UV levels are variable in NZ ( but we at the same time have a very mobile population).
Enjoy San Fran and time with your son. Looks like Substack is going very well. By the way Alan Pattle says hi….I am currently skiing with him.
Wow. A blast from the past! Please return my greetings to Alan.