The International Agency for Research on Cancer statistics identifies New Zealand and Australia as having the highest melanoma skin cancer rates in the world. Furthermore, non-melanoma skin cancers are also very common—and may be increasing in New Zealand.
Since most skin cancers are potentially preventable and treatment is very costly for the New Zealand healthcare system, primary prevention by avoiding excessive UVR exposure is a priority.
Our research focuses on this primary prevention as well as measuring how much UVR exposure is required to maintain healthy vitamin D levels.
Current ultraviolet radiation studies
- Audit of cosmetic tanning providers and monitoring of Trade Me for sunbed sales
- Sun protection in educational contexts
- Appearance-based interventions in secondary schools
- Sun protection during prolonged UVR exposure in childhood
- Preventing skin cancer in construction / outdoor workers
- SunSmart policies of National Sporting Organisations
Ultraviolet radiation studies research team
- Tony Reeder Research Associate Professor
- Bronwen McNoe Research Fellow
- Linda Buxton Master’s student
