High rates of “preventable” cancers in Jersey “highlight the need for greater public awareness and early engagement with health services”, according to a top oncologist.
The age-standardised rate for non-melanoma skin cancer in Jersey is 410 per 100,000 – which is nearly double the average England rate of 222.
Around 418 new skin cancer cases are diagnosed in the island each year, according to the latest Channel Islands Cancer Report, which was published today.
In Jersey, there was an average of 1,032 malignant cancers registered each year between 2020 and 2022 – with non-melanoma skin cancer accounting for around 41% of these.
The three most common cancers in the island after non-melanoma skin cancer were prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer.
We continue to see higher rates of head and neck and skin cancers locally, which are largely preventable. These figures highlight the need for greater public awareness and early engagement with health services.
Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos
Skin cancers and head and neck cancers in Jersey continue to be higher than in the South-West and England, with around 36 new cases of head and neck cancer and around 58 new cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed in the island each year.
Breast cancer incidence, which was previously higher than in England, is now similar but the report noted that this may reflect an impact from the pandemic when screening services were disrupted.
When all cancers – except non-melanoma skin cancer – are combined, the overall cancer rate is lower in Jersey than in both England and the South-West region.
Jersey has a similar mortality rate to England for all cancers combined, with an average of 248 deaths due to malignant cancers each year between 2020 and 2022.
Consultant oncologist Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos said: “We continue to see higher rates of head and neck and skin cancers locally, which are largely preventable.
“These figures highlight the need for greater public awareness and early engagement with health services.
“Our focus remains on delivering patient-centred care and supporting islanders to take control of their health.”
Public health director Professor Peter Bradley added: “This report provides a valuable overview of cancer trends across the Channel Islands.
“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 eligibility for screening services, engage with screening programmes and take proactive steps to reduce their cancer risk through lifestyle changes.”