Issue

Vol 126 No 1381: 30 August 2013

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Issue Summary

SUMMARY

Summer weekend sun exposure and sunburn among a New Zealand urban population, 1994–2006

Geraldine (Geri) F H McLeod, Anthony I Reeder, Andrew R Gray, Rob McGee

In this article we describe summer weekend sun exposure and sunburn experience, 1994-2006, among urban New Zealand adults (15-69 years) by sex, age group, skin type and outdoor activity type. A series of five telephone surveys undertaken in the summers of 1994, 1997, 1999-2000, 2002-3 and 2005-6 provided a sample of 6,195 adult respondents with usable data from five major cities (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin). Overall, 69% of the sample had spent at least 15 minutes outdoors between 11am and 4pm. Weekend sunburn was reported by 21%, and was more common among males, young adults and those with highly sunsensitive skin than females, older adults and those with less sensitive skin. The head/face/neck was the body area most frequently and severely sunburned. Sunburn was associated with greater time spent outdoors and occurred most frequently during water-based (29%) and passive recreational activities (25%) and paid work (23%). Sun protection messages could usefully be targeted not only towards at-risk population groups, but also towards those activities and contexts most strongly associated with potentially harmful sun exposure.

SUMMARY

Diagnosing malignant pleural effusions: how do we compare?

Ming Han Lim, Jeffrey Garrett, Lydia Mowlem, Elaine Yap

Pleural fluid: fluid that is found between the outer lining of the lung and the inner lining of the chest wall. Cytology: the study of the microscopic appearance of cells, especially for the diagnosis of abnormalities and malignancies. Malignant pleural effusion: accumulation of fluid between the outer lining of the lung and the inner lining of the chest wall as a result of cancer.

SUMMARY

Communicating the location of potential skin neoplasms for excision between the referring and the operating doctor—an audit of skin lesion referrals in Whanganui, New Zealand

Fraser Welsh, Naomi Bullen, Semisi Aiono

Accurate description of a skin lesions location is important in skin lesion referrals between professionals. We encountered difficulties confirming the locations of some patients skin lesions referred for excision. Accordingly we decided to audit the referral information for skin lesions in our own institution. For a significant number of patients (13 out of 100) the lesion due to be excised could not be clearly identified from the referral information. Diagrams and photographs were under-utilised. We recommend that photographic information should be included with all referrals for excision of a skin lesion.

SUMMARY

PSA screening in New Zealand: total population results and general practitioners’ current attitudes and practices

Simon van Rij, Tony Dowell, John Nacey

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in males in New Zealand. A blood test PSA (prostate specific antigen) can be used as a screening tool to identify those at more risk of prostate cancer. This test remains controversial due to the risks of investigation and treatment versus the benefit from early detection of cancer. Using total New Zealand laboratory data we showed 28% of the male population over the age of 40 had this test over a one year time frame. This is the first time that the actual number has been published for New Zealand from accurate data. We also surveyed General Practitioners and found an increasing group who would not initiate discussion of prostate cancer screening with their male patients.

SUMMARY

Identifying lung cancer patients who may be eligible for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing

Karalyn Hicks, Conroy Wong

We reviewed clinical records of 206 patients diagnosed at Counties Manukau DHB with primary lung cancer between 01/07/2011 and 30/06/2012. Of the 206 patients, 141 (68.4%) had non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Of these 141 cases: 87 (62%) were adenocarcinomas; 73 (51.8%) were male; 78 (55.3%) were European, 16 (18.4%) were Pacific Islanders, 22 (15.4%) were Maori and 15 (10.7%) were Asian, with nine being from South East Asia; 28 (19.9%) had never smoked; 103 (73.0%) had advanced cancer (stage IIIA or more advanced); and 112 (79.4%) cases had an ECOG performance score of two or less. Patients with advanced stage, non-squamous NSCLC comprised half of all lung cancer patients.

ALL ARTICLES
SUMMARY

Cancer trials in New Zealand—patients are not the problem

Christopher Jackson, John McCall, Bridget Robinson, Katrina Sharples, Michael Findlay

Cancer care coordinators: what are they and what will they cost?

Lucie Collinson, Rachel H Foster, Maria Stapleton, Tony Blakely

Summer weekend sun exposure and sunburn among a New Zealand urban population, 1994–2006

Geraldine (Geri) F H McLeod, Anthony I Reeder, Andrew R Gray, Rob McGee

The New ICMJE Recommendations

Jacob Rosenberg, Howard Bauchner, Joyce Backus, Peter de Leeuw, Jeff Drazen, Frank Frizelle, Fiona Godlee, Charlotte Haug, Astrid James, Christine Laine, Humberto Reyes, Peush Sahni, Getu Zhaori

The completeness of cancer treatment data on the national health collections

Jason Gurney, Diana Sarfati, Elizabeth Dennett, Jonathan Koea

The Increase of Cancer in New Zealand (part 1)

Diagnosing malignant pleural effusions: how do we compare?

Ming Han Lim, Jeffrey Garrett, Lydia Mowlem, Elaine Yap

How to substantially increase recruitment in cancer trials in New Zealand

David Hadorn, Nick Wilson, Richard Edwards, Tony Blakely, Diana Sarfati

Iodine supplementation in pregnancy and breastfeeding: a New Zealand survey of user awareness

Vithusia Nithiananthan, Richard W Carroll, Jeremy D Krebs

Communicating the location of potential skin neoplasms for excision between the referring and the operating doctor—an audit of skin lesion referrals in Whanganui, New Zealand

Fraser Welsh, Naomi Bullen, Semisi Aiono

PSA screening in New Zealand: total population results and general practitioners’ current attitudes and practices

Simon van Rij, Tony Dowell, John Nacey

Differentiation between malignant melanoma and Spitz tumour has improved over the past decade due to modern pathological techniques

Daniel Ng, Kevin J McKerrow, Paul Oei, Ben Tallon, Patrick O Emanuel

Identifying lung cancer patients who may be eligible for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing

Karalyn Hicks, Conroy Wong

Medical image. Purple urine bag syndrome

Takanori Aonuma, Masanori Shimodaira

Heart Foundation Grants Awarded July 2013

SUMMARY

Summer weekend sun exposure and sunburn among a New Zealand urban population, 1994–2006

Geraldine (Geri) F H McLeod, Anthony I Reeder, Andrew R Gray, Rob McGee

In this article we describe summer weekend sun exposure and sunburn experience, 1994-2006, among urban New Zealand adults (15-69 years) by sex, age group, skin type and outdoor activity type. A series of five telephone surveys undertaken in the summers of 1994, 1997, 1999-2000, 2002-3 and 2005-6 provided a sample of 6,195 adult respondents with usable data from five major cities (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin). Overall, 69% of the sample had spent at least 15 minutes outdoors between 11am and 4pm. Weekend sunburn was reported by 21%, and was more common among males, young adults and those with highly sunsensitive skin than females, older adults and those with less sensitive skin. The head/face/neck was the body area most frequently and severely sunburned. Sunburn was associated with greater time spent outdoors and occurred most frequently during water-based (29%) and passive recreational activities (25%) and paid work (23%). Sun protection messages could usefully be targeted not only towards at-risk population groups, but also towards those activities and contexts most strongly associated with potentially harmful sun exposure.

SUMMARY

Diagnosing malignant pleural effusions: how do we compare?

Ming Han Lim, Jeffrey Garrett, Lydia Mowlem, Elaine Yap

Pleural fluid: fluid that is found between the outer lining of the lung and the inner lining of the chest wall. Cytology: the study of the microscopic appearance of cells, especially for the diagnosis of abnormalities and malignancies. Malignant pleural effusion: accumulation of fluid between the outer lining of the lung and the inner lining of the chest wall as a result of cancer.

SUMMARY

Communicating the location of potential skin neoplasms for excision between the referring and the operating doctor—an audit of skin lesion referrals in Whanganui, New Zealand

Fraser Welsh, Naomi Bullen, Semisi Aiono

Accurate description of a skin lesions location is important in skin lesion referrals between professionals. We encountered difficulties confirming the locations of some patients skin lesions referred for excision. Accordingly we decided to audit the referral information for skin lesions in our own institution. For a significant number of patients (13 out of 100) the lesion due to be excised could not be clearly identified from the referral information. Diagrams and photographs were under-utilised. We recommend that photographic information should be included with all referrals for excision of a skin lesion.

SUMMARY

PSA screening in New Zealand: total population results and general practitioners’ current attitudes and practices

Simon van Rij, Tony Dowell, John Nacey

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in males in New Zealand. A blood test PSA (prostate specific antigen) can be used as a screening tool to identify those at more risk of prostate cancer. This test remains controversial due to the risks of investigation and treatment versus the benefit from early detection of cancer. Using total New Zealand laboratory data we showed 28% of the male population over the age of 40 had this test over a one year time frame. This is the first time that the actual number has been published for New Zealand from accurate data. We also surveyed General Practitioners and found an increasing group who would not initiate discussion of prostate cancer screening with their male patients.

SUMMARY

Identifying lung cancer patients who may be eligible for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing

Karalyn Hicks, Conroy Wong

We reviewed clinical records of 206 patients diagnosed at Counties Manukau DHB with primary lung cancer between 01/07/2011 and 30/06/2012. Of the 206 patients, 141 (68.4%) had non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Of these 141 cases: 87 (62%) were adenocarcinomas; 73 (51.8%) were male; 78 (55.3%) were European, 16 (18.4%) were Pacific Islanders, 22 (15.4%) were Maori and 15 (10.7%) were Asian, with nine being from South East Asia; 28 (19.9%) had never smoked; 103 (73.0%) had advanced cancer (stage IIIA or more advanced); and 112 (79.4%) cases had an ECOG performance score of two or less. Patients with advanced stage, non-squamous NSCLC comprised half of all lung cancer patients.

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