Higher rates of Melanoma in Guernsey than UK

Tuesday 15 December 2020

The Channel Islands Cancer Report 2020 has been released today, highlighting only minor differences in prevalence between the islands.

It’s produced by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service.

The statistics are drawn from the period 2003 – 2016 and included Alderney and Sark.

Pictured: The incidence rates from the latest 5 years in the report.

The key takeaways from the data collected are:

• No significant differences between Guernsey, Jersey and the UK when it comes to incidence, however…
• Guernsey showed slightly lower rates for Leukemia and higher rates for Melanoma and other skin cancers. 
• We recorded an average of 20 – 30 cases [of Melanoma] per year.
• The three most common causes of cancer death were lung, prostate and lymphoma.
• Guernsey recorded lower rates of breast cancer than both Jersey and the UK; however, we had a higher mortality rate for lung cancer.

“For the most part the report gives a reassuring picture in terms of the prevalence rates for incident cancers and cancer deaths being in line with, and in some cases lower than, our nearby jurisdictions,” said Head of Health Intelligence, Public Health Services, Jenny Cataroche.

“One notable exception is for skin cancers, where the major risk factor is UV exposure from sunlight of sunbeds.”

Pictured: It’s important to, “be able to recognise the possible signs of a skin cancer”, said Ms Cataroche.

The report will be used to focus efforts on specific cancers that have shown high prevalence in the Channel Islands.

“It is estimated that 4 in 10 UK cancer cases are preventable,” said Chief Executive of the Health Improvement Commission, Dr Simon Sebire.

“The Commission’s work is critical to advancing local prevention efforts as much of our work focusses on the five leading behavioral and dietary risks of cancer.”

These risks have been highlighted as;

• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Low physical activity
• Alcohol use
• Tobacco use

You can read the full report here.

Pictured top: The data will be used to help spot trends and focus treatment efforts.