Medical researchers say death rates from cancer are much higher in New Zealand than Australia, and it's costing hundreds of lives every year.
Studies published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today show death rates from cancer in this country are 10 percent higher than across the Tasman. Medical specialists say it's disappointing, and appalling inaction over bowel cancer screening is partly to blame.
Researchers studied the incidence and death rates from cancer in both countries for the years 1996-97 and 2006-07.
One of the studies says this suggests that clinical survival rates are lower in both sexes. Researchers say the main problem is smoking among Maori women in particular, who may also be worse than males at seeing a doctor early with symptoms.
Deaths from breast cancer were 19 percent higher in New Zealand than Australia between 2000 and 2007. Both countries have screening programmes, and the studies say in New Zealand it's estimated deaths decreased by as much as 40 percent for those being screened.
