The report presents estimates of the burden of 28 different cancers in 2006, denominated in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
The total burden of cancer was estimated to be approximately 127 000 DALYs, with the major types being breast (27%), lung (14%) and colorectal cancer (13%) in females, and prostate (16%), lung (16%) and colorectal cancer (13.5%) in males.
Age standardised cancer DALY rates were typically 1.5 fold higher in Māori than non-Māori.
This report adds to existing information on cancer incidence, survival and mortality in New Zealand and will be used to assist in the planning and prioritisation of cancer services, especially cancer control activities.