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National | Cancer

Māori whānau still urged to slip, slop, slap & wrap

The sun is out which means spending time at the beach. But are you protecting yourself and your family from the suns deadly rays?

The ministry of Health says New Zealand and Australia have the highest rates of melanoma in the world and it's the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in New Zealand.

Dermatologist, Dr Paul Jarrett says, “It's important to realise melanoma is an important cancer that kills people in NZ affecting non-Māori and Māori rarely as well.”

It was evident that beach goers at Auckland's Mission Bay weren’t taking any chances. Tauariki Estall came from Tahiti with her family. She knows all too well the dangers of the sun.

“I had a few cases in my family. So yeah I don’t want it to happen to my children,” says Estall.

Dr Paul Jarrett added, “30-40 Māori are diagnosed with Melonoma each year so while having coloured skin gives protection Māori are not invulnerable.”