Jersey skin cancer rate 'higher than Guernsey'

The report showed non melanoma skin cancer remained the most common type of cancer across the Channel Islands

Non melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common type of cancer across the Channel Islands, according to a new report.

The Channel Islands Cancer Report also showed higher rates of skin cancer in Jersey than in Guernsey and England.

In both Jersey and Guernsey the three most commonly registered cancers after NMSC were prostate, breast and colorectal cancer.

The report written by the National Disease Registration Service, part of NHS England, incorporated data collected between 2009 and 2022.

The report showed there had been an average of 735 malignant cancers registered in Guernsey each year between 2020 and 2022, 36% of which were NMSC.

In the same time period an average of 1,032 cancers had been registered each year in Jersey, 41% of which were NMSC.

'Take proactive steps'

The data showed the rates of prostate, breast and colorectal cancer were higher in Guernsey than in Jersey or the South West of England.

Lung cancer was shown to be the fifth most common type of cancer in each island and caused more deaths than other types in both Guernsey and Jersey.

The report highlighted a number of risk factors associated with the incidence of cancers seen in the Channel Islands including UV exposure, smoking and excessive alcohol use.

Prof Peter Bradley, Jersey's director of public health, said: "We encourage all islanders to check their eligibly for screening services, engage with screening programmes and take proactive steps to reduce their cancer risk through lifestyle changes."