Melanoma
Melanoma patients grateful to hear new treatment will be funded by medsafe
People with advanced melanoma say Medsafe's approval of Keytruda alternative, Opdivo, is welcome news. Audio
New Zealand's high melanoma rate preventable
Melanoma experts have argued that the disease's rise in New Zealand is preventable. Professor David Whiteman joins Checkpoint. Audio
Secondary schools not so sun safe
New Zealand secondary schools aren't providing enough sun-protection for their students, a new study has found. Video, Audio
Study finds highschools not providing adequate sun protection
Research by Otago University found 10 Dunedin high schools failed to to provide sunscreen to half their students on sports days, and only 3% wore hats in the sun. Mohamed Hassan reports. Audio
Schools urged to do more to protect students from the sun
Research by Otago University has found secondary schools are not doing enough to protect children from skin cancer. The head of the Secondary Principals Association, Sandy Pasley, told our reporter… Audio
NZ falls behind in reducing melanoma rates
New research suggests New Zealand has overtaken Australia as the world leader for invasive melanoma, prompting calls for more sun-smart policies. Video, Audio
Health minister defends
The Health Minister, Jonathan Coleman, says melanoma rates have always been high in New Zealand. Audio
New Zealand highest rate of melanoma worldwide
A new study has shown Australia has succeeded in reducing melanoma rates while New Zealand has not, leaving the country with the highest skin cancer rate in the world. Video, Audio
Chemotherapy 'palliative,' says stage 4 melanoma patient
Joy Cole, a stage 4 melanoma patient, was present at the handing-over of the petition. She has been given less than a year to live. Video, Audio
Melanoma patients demand urgent decision on drug funding
Patients with advanced melanoma presented a petition to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today, calling for Pharmac to fund the drug Keytruda. Health Correspondent Karen Brown reports. Audio
Keytruda researcher met with Health Minister months ago
Dr Antoni Ribas, a Keytruda researcher, was in New Zealand three months ago and met with Jonathan Coleman, he tells Checkpoint. Pharmac will need more money in its budget in order to fund a melanoma… Audio
Keytruda petition presented to Parliament
A petition with over 11,000 signatures was presented to Parliament today, calling for the funding of Keytruda for advanced melanoma. Petition organiser Leisa Renwick told Checkpoint about the drug… Video, Audio
Pharmac Petition - Karen Brown
A petition calling on the Government to fund the melanoma treatment, Keytruda, has been presented to Parliament today. Australia, Canada and Britain subsidise the treatment, but Pharmac has given it… Audio
Melanoma survivor calls for Pharmac to fund Keytruda
A terminally ill cancer patient who paid for her own melanoma treatment and survived is taking a petition to Parliament calling for drug Keytruda to be funded. Audio
Pharmac's melanoma treatment 'not ideal'
The only melanoma treatment currently funded by Pharmac is not ideal for treating the disease, a representative says. Video
Strugging to Stay Alive with Melanoma
Karen Brown investigates how good the new-generation cancer drugs, such the melanoma treatment Keytruda, really are and if NZ should fund them. Audio
Pharmac won't be swayed on melanoma drug
Pharmac is refusing to be rushed into funding a hotly debated new drug for advanced melanoma.
Council-owned Parnell Baths charges for shade
Parnell Baths is charging $40 to use its large umbrellas, prompting calls to treat shade as a public good. Audio
Cancer survivor 'shattered' at Pharmac funding call
A man whose melanoma disappeared after taking part in a drug trial is dismayed to hear Pharmac will not fund the medicine.
New funding regime needed for revolutionary cancer drugs
The country's top cancer research organisation says a new drug funding regime is needed to pay for a new generation of drugs which are revolutionising cancer therapy. Pharmac's clinical advisory… Audio