The Canterbury Charity Hospital has been inundated with responses for its free Skin Check Day, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday 5 October.

Organiser Rosie Graham from the Charity Hospital said, “We have space for about 240 patients but have received around 300 additional enquiries.”

Patients will receive a full head-to-toe examination, and any concerning lesions will be referred to their registered GP for further investigation or treatment.

New Zealand has the highest melanoma death rate in the world, with around 100,000 New Zealanders diagnosed with skin cancer every year. Early detection and treatment are crucial to improving survival rates.

Previous Skin Check Days have uncovered several serious cancers, allowing early treatment. Volunteer health professionals will be offering their expertise free of charge to low-income adults aged 50 years and over.

The Southern Cancer Society will also participate, providing free sunscreen to attendees.

“Early detection is one of our priorities,” said Amanda Dodd, the society’s cancer prevention and research lead. “Research shows that minimising exposure to UV radiation and detecting skin cancer early, before it can spread, are the most effective ways to reduce its impact.”

Appointments will take place at the hospital’s Harewood Road site.