New Zealanders fear cancer more than any other health issue or disability.
A survey by Southern Cross Health Society shows the disease the number one concern with a brain injury coming in at second, followed by stroke, heart attack and the loss of eyesight.
Chief executive Peter Tynan says concerns about cancer could be because of its unknown nature and that it seems to strike out of nowhere.
He says with many cancers early detection is crucial which is why keeping up with screening programmes is important.
RadioLIVE