Free sunscreen will be distributed to low-income individuals and families across the island in a bid to tackle financial barriers to sun safety.
Local cancer charity Macmillan Jersey announced the scheme as the next phase of a campaign to combat the rising skin cancer statistics in Jersey.
The most recent Channel Islands Cancer Report reveal that 42% of malignant cancers recorded in Jersey between 2018 and 2022 were non-melanoma skin cancers.
After hosting a series of breakfasts to improve skin cancer education last month, Macmillan Jersey is now aiming to tackle the financial and educational barriers that prevent islanders from accessing essential preventive measures like sunscreen.
Working alongside local charities and frontline key workers, the charity will distribute dermatologist-approved sunscreen and educational materials to low-income individuals and families across the island.
Free sunscreen stations will also be offered to outdoor workers identified as being at higher risk of skin cancer, which remains a significant concern in Jersey due to high UV exposure and rising diagnosis rates.
Kevin Alway, Operations and Communications Lead at Macmillan Jersey, said: “This is about more than just sunscreen. It’s about health equity.
“Everyone should have access to basic cancer prevention tools, regardless of their income or education.
“By reducing cost barriers and expanding awareness, we are working to directly support the island’s strategic goal of reducing preventable cancers.”
Consultant oncologist Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos added: “The increasing incidence of skin cancer in Jersey is a reflection of both our island’s high UV exposure and the pressing need for sustained, targeted public health interventions.
“This next phase of Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey’s campaign takes meaningful action to address the health inequities that leave some islanders more vulnerable.
“By removing cost barriers and expanding access to sun protection and education, we are not only preventing cancer – we are promoting equity and delivering on our commitment to fair and inclusive cancer care.”
This phase of the campaign was funded by the money left to Macmillan Jersey by the Donna Annand Melanoma charity.
The charity, which deregistered in 2022, hosted mole clinics and provided islanders with information regarding skin cancer in Jersey for over 10 years.
A Macmillan Jersey spokesperson said: “We remain committed to continuing their vital work in skin cancer prevention, reaching those who might otherwise go unprotected.”