Spotlight on skin cancer

Wednesday 04 March 2015

Local doctors and nurses are getting some specialist skin cancer training this weekend to help them spot the early signs of the disease.

Kerry Petulla from the Donna Annand Melanoma Charity says skin cancer is on the increase in Jersey and rates are 60% higher here than the South-West of England.

The charity is flying in three specialists from Southampton Hospital to show 16 doctors and nurses here what to look for.

Malignant Melanoma is a form of skin cancer, which affects the pigment producing cells (Malanocytes) and often appears as a new or changing mole.

Changes in character, size, shape and colour are all signs of the disease that is one of the most common forms of cancer in young adults aged between 25 and 29.

Kerry says early detection is vital because with proper treatment around 95% of people will survive. Those rates decline if the cancer starts to spread.

She said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a number of Jersey GP’s and nurses to advance their training; develop and learn new skills; and receive up to date information with particular reference to the examination of patients for early detection of malignant melanoma/skin cancer.”

The Donna Annand Melanoma Charity also runs regular mole clinics and forty Islanders have signed up to get their moles checked at its next one at the end of this month. The clinic is now full but a bigger one is planned for May.

The charity was set up four years ago to educate people of the dangers of malignant melanoma following the death of Jersey woman Donna Annand who died from the disease aged 29.

The free mole clinics are held at Elian’s offices, 44 Esplanade, St Helier and you can find out more about the next one here.

 Click here to visit our new charity section for more information on The Donna Annand Melanoma Charity, and other local charities.