It is reported that New Zealand doctors have designed a new approach to diagnosing skin cancer which is witnessed to attract international attention.

Skin cancer engulfs thousands of New Zealanders every year and costs the health system a whopping $33 million.

The Waikato District Health Board has now come up with a pilot skin lesion clinic with MoleMap, which has a nurse take pictures of suspicious skin lesions that are subsequently reviewed by a dermatologist who decides if they require urgent attention.

Dermatologist and Medical Director of MoleMap, Dr. Mark Gray, quoted, "We have been using MoleMap for over 10 years now, but it's really starting to become noticed now as there are a lot of changes in the dermatology community. It's taken them a long time to pick up on this technology but it's really happening now."

In addition, he posted they aim to introduce a cut in the long waiting lists and the time it takes to see patients that have suspicious lesions.

Waikato Hospital reveals to refer 800 patients surviving with benign and malignant skin lesions to their dermatology department every year and with the introduction of this new diagnostic system it is easier to discern how urgently patients need to refer a dermatologist.