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Jersey's skin cancer rates remain higher than England

58 new cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed in Jersey each year.

The data comes from the latest Channel Islands Cancer Report, compiled by NHS England for Public Health Jersey.

It's the last of three catch up reports, addressing a long-standing delay in cancer data reporting.

Whilst Jersey has a similar cancer mortality rate to England, it shows that malignant and non-malignant skin cancer rates on the island exceed both the England average and those in the south west of the country - which has a long history of higher than average rates.

Here. there was an average of 1,032 malignant cancers registered each year between 2020 and 2022. Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) accounted for around 41% of these.

Public Health say lifestyle choices, such as using UV protection and staying out of the heat of the day in summer, can help prevent skin cancer.

The next most common cancer types in Jersey are prostate, breast and colorectal cancers.

Head and neck cancer in Jersey also continues to be higher than in England, with 36 diagnoses a year.

Breast cancer rates, which was previously higher than in England, are now similar. However, it is noted that this may reflect an impact from the pandemic, when screening services were disrupted.

Director of Public Health, Professor Peter Bradley says:

"While some incidence rates are higher than national averages, our mortality figures remain broadly in line.

"The findings reinforce the importance of prevention and early detection, and we encourage all Islanders to check their eligibly for screening services, engage with screening programmes and take proactive steps to reduce their cancer risk through lifestyle changes.”

Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos, Consultant in Medical Oncology, Service Lead for Oncology says the higher figures for head and neck cancers are largely preventable: "These figures highlight the need for greater public awareness and early engagement with health services.

The next report will come in 2027. 

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