MPs take their kit off in the name of melanoma awareness
MPs lined up to take their kits off in Parliament in a bid to stem the increasing rate of melanoma in this country - one of the worst in the world.
To the benefit of all, their molemapping checks, carried out by Melanoma New Zealand, took place behind screens.
With one of the highest incidences in the world, fair skinned Kiwis have a one in 15 chance of developing melanoma in their lifetime.
Parliamentarians receiving skin checks crossed the political divide, including several Cabinet Ministers and MPs from National, Labour, Greens, NZ First and the ACT Party.
In launching New Zealand's first Skin Check Day, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said he had a clean bill of health, but one New Zealander died every day of the preventable cancer.
"It's all about knowing the signs to look for, taking preventative action, trying to avoid sunburn and sun exposure early in life.
"But of course, for adult New Zealanders, our history is what it is. Many of us have seen way too much sun over the years and so now many of us are at risk of this totally preventable disease."
It was important New Zealanders knew what to look for, and were aware of the moles on their own body.
It was when any moles began to change shape, colour or became raised, that a molemap with a dermatologist was a good idea.
GPs could also perform baseline checks, and refer patients if they thought there was any cause for concern.
Melanoma NZ chief executive Linda Flay said it was vital New Zealand's took charge of their own skin.
"Being proactive could save you from becoming one of over 300 Kiwis who die from melanoma each year."
Wellington dermatologist Dr Bruce Taylor said skin cancer was treatable if picked up early.
New Zealand registered about 2000 invasive melanomas every year, and 2000 non-invasive.
"With skin checks, the whole idea is to identify the ones who are high-risk. Because they're the ones who need to be screened to have regular checks."
Anyone with fair skin, or who had a family member who had had melanoma was in the high-risk group.
Hero image credit: Twitter / Jonathan Coleman
Written by Stacey Kirk. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz
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