Cancer registry in New Zealand.

Cancer registration, introduced in New Zealand in 1948, evolved from a clinically oriented to a population-based collection scheme. The registry, located within the National Health Statistics Centre, can draw on a wide range of other health data reported to that office. New Zealand has a population of 3 million, 8% of whom are Maoris. Findings indicated that cancer is the second leading cause of death and that Maori women have a much higher overall cancer death toll than other New Zealand women. Significantly higher incidence rates for cancers of the stomach, pancreas, lung, thyroid gland, and uterus and lower rates for cancer of the large bowel and melanoma of the skin were found in Maoris.