Chelsea* was 26 when she was diagnosed with melanoma. After facing two operations, a “huge scar” on her arm, and skyrocketing insurance, she is condemning a “tanning culture” among youth who “glorify” visible tan lines.
Chelsea has been “pretty sun smart my whole life”.
While she got burnt growing up, the Tauranga woman said it was “nothing” compared to some of her friends.
“I was never one to like, go and suntan and I would always be covered in sunblock but obviously, not enough.”
Chelsea, 27, was diagnosed with melanoma last year and had two operations to remove the cancer from her arm.
She is speaking about her diagnosis after the 2025 National Skin Cancer Survey found high rates of sunburn among 18- to 24-year-olds, with 87% of females and 77% of males reporting sunburn last summer.
It found suntanning was most prevalent among this age group – a behaviour the Cancer Society hopes to address in a campaign.
Overall, 64% of 2198 adults reported at least one sunburn last summer.
Funded by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, the survey revealed many people did not consistently practise effective sun protection, despite most being aware of skin cancer risks.
Conducted by the Cancer Society – University of Otago Research Collaboration, the summary said skin cancer was a major public health challenge with nearly 100,000 diagnoses annually and an economic burden approaching $495 million per year.
Dr Bronwen McNoe, lead author from the university, said high rates of sunburn were “concerning” as it was a risk factor for melanoma.
There was strong public support for government investment in skin cancer prevention.
Chelsea said her parents noticed a mole on the back of her arm had grown.
She booked a mole map and was told it looked like melanoma.
Chelsea was referred to cancer treatment centre Skinspots in Mount Maunganui and had two operations – the first to remove the mole and confirm it was melanoma and the second to “take out the margins”.
The second operation left her with about 70 stitches and a “huge scar”.
The mole’s size was “like the tip of my pinky finger” but she estimated the “huge hunk” taken from her arm was 10cm wide and 6cm deep.
It took six to eight weeks to recover and regain full movement in her arm.
“I feel lucky to have got to mine very early, another month or two doing nothing could have ended in a very different result.”
This summer, she has taken no chances.
“I carry sunblock on me 24/7 and when driving or walking around in peak sun I’m constantly worrying about my skin and if I’m burning or not.”
Chelsea said there was a “tanning culture” among the younger generation, and many would “glorify tan lines”.
“It’s almost like a competition of who can get the best tan lines.”
She said people spent summer days sunbathing to try to get “a beautiful olive tan” without considering the potential “long-term loss” and suffering.
“The sun and damage it carries is just not worth it. You don’t pay for it now, but down the track when the damage surfaces – it’s too late.”
Due to her diagnosis, Chelsea’s insurance premiums had “doubled if not tripled” as she was deemed “high-risk”.
Skinspots founder Dr Franz Strydom said suntanning was “risky” but “goes with being a teenager”.
“They need to actually realise that this is something that could result in them either suffering significantly in the future, financially and their health, and they could die from it.”
Strydom said New Zealand had the worst mortality rate for melanoma of OECD countries and more investment was needed to educate students about sun safety.
He said primary schools were good at making students wear hats but at intermediate and college, “nothing happens”.
Cancer Society advocacy and public affairs lead Amanda Dodd said its summer campaign was informed by the survey’s findings to raise awareness among 18- to 24-year-olds of the dangers of tanning.
Dodd said young people’s attitudes toward tanning were a challenge for skin cancer prevention.
Its “social first” campaign aimed to address the “growing trend for visible tan lines head on”.
Health NZ health promotion director Kathrine Clarke said it invested more than $300,000 in 2025-26 to support SunSmart skin cancer prevention campaigns – an increase from $200,000 in 2021 to 2024.
The agency also invested in the Cancer Society’s campaign.
Clarke encouraged New Zealanders to avoid exposure to the sun. When the UV index was 3 or above, it was best to cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses and use sunblock of at least SFP 30 on exposed skin.
“Fair-skinned people should also check their skin every three months and see their GP if concerned about any changes.”
Editor’s note: Chelsea* is a pseudonym. She agreed to be interviewed for this story on the condition she was not named, to protect her medical privacy.
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.