Cancer decrease 'may be due to rise in screening'

In 2004, the government extended state-funded mammograms to women aged 45-69.

Increased screening and earlier diagnosis of cancer may be contributing to a decline in overall cancer death rates, a health specialist says.

New Zealand Health Information Service (NZHIS) figures released today show cancer mortality rates reduced from 125.9 deaths per 100,000 population in 2001 to 120.9 in 2002.

Health Ministry principal advisor cancer control John Childs said the figures suggested screening programmes, earlier diagnosis, and treatment improvements may be having an impact.

Dr Childs said patient survival data showed that breast, prostate and skin cancer were among those with the highest survival rates over five years, which meant that in many cases the cancer may have been cured.

"Though New Zealand has a higher incidence of cancer than some other countries, our survival rates for some cancers such as cervical, breast and colorectal cancer are on a par with those of the United States or Australia," Dr Childs said.

Pancreatic cancer, throat and lung cancer and liver cancer were among those with the lowest survival rates over five years.

The figures also showed that Maori were more likely than non-Maori to die from cancer, often because the greater likelihood of late diagnosis.

"This tells us that there still needs to be significant effort aimed at reducing the incidence and treatment of cancer for Maori."

Cancer survival rates for Pacific communities were not calculated in the 1994-2003 period because of difficulties in gathering accurate statistics.

Though overall cancer death rates were decreasing, the disease remained the leading cause of death in New Zealand, followed by heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Among New Zealanders who died of cancer in 2002, the most common cancers for women were breast cancer, throat and lung cancer, and bowel cancer.

In men, the most common cause of death due to cancer was throat and lung cancer, followed by prostate and bowel cancer.

- NZPA