A local cancer charity is set to host free sun awareness events this month after a report revealed that Jersey has a significantly higher incidence of skin cancer than England.
The latest Channel Islands Cancer Report showed that 42% of malignant cancers registered in Jersey between 2018 and 2020 were non-melanoma skin cancers.
Speaking to Express following the report’s publication, consultant oncologist Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos explained: “The skin cancer figures are a factor of the outdoor lifestyle in Jersey – people like to spend time at the beach, but that brings an increased risk.”
In a bid to tackle the high number of skin cancers in the island, Macmillan Jersey will be hosting three complimentary breakfast events focussed on sun awareness this month.
The presentations aim to educate islanders on skin cancer prevention, sun safety, risk factors, and early detection.
The first breakfast event took place at the Grand Hotel this morning, with two more due later this month.
Each event will have its own guest speaker – with Dr Anna Kukula, who previously led Jersey’s dermatology department and chaired the Skin Cancer Multidisciplinary Team, at the first.
Skin cancer clinical nurse specialist Kerry Burnett is set to speak on Friday 23 May, and Dr Gomes Dos Santos will feature at the final breakfast event on Friday 30 May.
GET INVOLVED….
The breakfast sessions are free to attend, but spaces are limited.
Islanders can reserve a space via the Macmillan Jersey website.