Free skin checks and growing mindfulness are helping Wanganui people detect melanoma before it spreads.
Wanganui Skin Institute nurse Kara Wasley says people have more awareness than ever about the need for skin checks in preventing the spread of cancer.
"Because of the awareness out there, we are picking up heaps of melanomas early."
The Skin Institute offers free spot checks for people concerned about moles or lesions.
Ms Wasley says this helps people detect melanoma before it is too late.