Cancer: Jersey’s major killer

Tuesday 25 July 2017

A major survey of cancer-related illnesses in Jersey has shown that during a four-year period, between 2010 and 2014, around a 1,000 incidents were recorded each year.

It also shows that, during that period, on average around 233 people died every year. It means cancer has now overtaken heart-related issues as the Island’s number one killer.

Whilst at first sight this might seem alarming, the report, which was produced specifically for the Channel Islands by Public Health England’s National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, notes that the results need to be viewed in a broader context.

It says the turnaround could be down to a combination of factors. The drop in heart-related deaths could be due to better prevention, detection and treatment, and the increase in cancers could be as a result of people living longer. As you grow older, your chances of getting cancer increase.

Pictured: The main cancer risk factors were smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and UV exposure, according to the report.

Skin cancer tops the table in the Island, followed by prostate, breast, and lung. But it’s lung cancer that is responsible for most deaths, followed by prostate and then breast cancer.

The report also urges caution noting that where there are high incidences of a specific cancer, but an average or low death rate, it indicates good detection rates and treatment.

Jersey’s Health Department says whilst not all cancers are preventable, some of the main risk factors include smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and UV (ultra-violet) exposure through sunlight or sun beds.