Cancer in New Zealand

Cancer is now the single biggest cause of mortality in New Zealand. And it is a growing source of inequalities in health outcomes, in particular between ethnic groups. Accurate ethnicity statistics are essential to effectively plan, deliver, and evaluate cancer control policy and interventions for their effect on inequalities. It has been previously suggested that Māori have a lower rate of colorectal cancer but worse outcome. Shaw et al in this issue of the Journal clearly demonstrate that there is undercounting of Māori, Pacific, and Asian events on cancer registration data, relative to census data, throughout 1981–2004.1 For example Māori were undercounted by 31 % on the Cancer Registry compared to self-reported ethnic origin in the 1981–86 cohort. Cancer incidence rates need revising, to correctly understand the epidemiology and to inform cancer policy. Steps to improve the quality of ethnicity information remain a priority. The New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy and Action Plan identify the importance of high quality cancer information for consumers. Written consumer information has an important place in supplementing and reinforcing information provided by healthcar