Select a region
More than 300 new cases of skin cancer are being diagnosed each year in Guernsey.
The latest Channel Islands cancer report was released today, providing a comparison between Guernsey, Jersey and England based on data from 2005 to 2018.
More up to date statistics are also on the horizon.
The report shows that cancers in the island become more common with age, and are overall more likely to affect men than women.
For many cancer types, all the jurisdictions have a similar incidence rate, but there are some notable variations.
In Guernsey, the age-standardised rate for all cancer combined - excluding non melanoma skin cancer - is 626 per 100,000 population.
“This does not significantly differ to the rate in the South West or England,” the report says.
“The age specific rates show that from age 60-64 years, males have increasingly higher incidence of cancer than females. A similar pattern is seen in England, with higher rates in males by this age.”
The report uses age standardised rates to be able to compare the populations.
The ASR of malignant melanoma in Guernsey is higher than England but is not significantly different to the South West.
The ASR is 42 per 100,000 compared with 36 per 100,000 in the South West, and 28 per 100,000 in England. The rate in Jersey is higher at 58 per 100,000.
It's one of the most common cancers in those aged under 40.
Around 29 new cases in Guernsey are diagnosed each year.
“The major risk factor is UV exposure through sunlight or sunbeds,” the report says.
“Age specific rates increase with age for males and females. Males have a considerably higher rate than females.”
The ASR of Non-melanoma skin cancer in Guernsey is higher than the recorded rate in the South West and England.
The ASR in Guernsey is 486 per 100,000 compared to 312 and 259 per 100,000 in the South West and England respectively. Jersey is slightly lower than Guernsey at 451 per 100,000.
Around 316 new cases in Guernsey are diagnosed each year with risk factors the same as those for malignant melanoma.
The ASR of breast cancer in Guernsey, at 148 per 100,000, is lower than in the South West however is not significantly different to England.
The rate in the South West is 179 per 100,000 and in England is 170 per 100,000. Around 52 new cases in Guernsey are diagnosed each year.
The ASR of bladder cancer in Guernsey is higher than in the South West or England. The ASR is 26 per 100,000. The rate in the South West and England is 18 per 100,000. Around 16 new cases in Guernsey are diagnosed each year.
The ASR of head and neck cancer in Guernsey is higher than in the South West or England. The ASR is 34 per 100,000 compared to 25 and 26 per 100,000 in the South West and England respectively. Around 22 new cases in Guernsey are diagnosed each year. The main risk factors are smoking and excessive alcohol use, especially in combination.
FOCUS: Skin cancer in Guernsey - The risks, what to look out for, and the precautions you can take
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.