Why Guernsey Has One of the Highest Rates of Skin Cancer (And What You Can Do About It)

We all know how special Guernsey life is, especially in summer. Sea swims before work, cliff walks with friends, fish and chips at Cobo and family BBQs. But with all that time spent outdoors comes a reality we don’t talk about enough: sun exposure could be putting our health at risk.

According to the recent Health & Wellbeing Survey, our island has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the British Isles. And while we’re religious about SPF when it comes to kids, too many of us still leave our own skin at risk. 

So let’s take a look at what’s going on, and what we can do about it. 

 

 

The Sunshine Island.

According to Public Health Guernsey, UV exposure is set to become one of the biggest local health risks in the coming decades. That means more sun damage, more skin ageing, and sadly more skin cancer.

Whether it’s the reflection off the sea, our love for being outdoors, or the number of beach days we get, Guernsey’s beautiful lifestyle also brings with it a silent health risk. We walk to work. We garden. We spend time in the sea. And, let’s be honest, we don't always remember to reapply - or even apply in some cases! - sunscreen.

 

Sunburn Stats In Guernsey.

The survey shows that 45.5% of islanders had one or more episodes of sunburn in the last year. And among 16–24 year-olds, that shoots up to 73.3%.

That's worrying because sunburn isn’t just painful and inconvenient. It causes long-term skin damage and increases your risk of skin cancer, and just one episode of sunburn can double your chances of developing melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

 

 

One of the biggest impacts of global heating for us in the next few decades will be ++UV exposure. This problem is not going away.

Public Health Guernsey

Skin Cancer Rates.

Here’s what the survey also confirmed:

• Non-melanoma skin cancer (like basal and squamous cell carcinomas) is the most common cancer in Guernsey by rate, and it’s almost double the rate in England.
  
  Malignant melanoma (the more dangerous kind) is also higher here than in England, and similar to our sun-loving neighbours over in Jersey.

This is not just statistics, it’s a wake-up call. The Guernsey sun may not always feel tropical, but those UV rays are strong. And, in the words of Public Health Guernsey, ‘this problem is not going away’.

 

How To Be Sun Safe. 

The good news is that 93.5% of us use at least some form of sun protection. The not-so-good news is that the people at highest risk - the youngest and oldest in our community - are also the least likely to protect themselves.

Whatever category you fall into, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, namely…

• Avoid direct sun between 11am and 3pm

• Cover up with long sleeves or clothing with UV protection

• Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ and reapply every 2 hours

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat (the bigger, the better - take up space in this world!)

• UV rays damage your eyes too so wear sunglasses

If your go-to method is staying in the shade, be aware that reflected rays from water, sand, and even buildings can still reach your skin. 

 

 

What Are The Signs of Skin Cancer?

One of the most surprising survey findings is that many of us - 17.7% to be precise - hadn’t heard of any of the signs of skin cancer. That’s almost one in five islanders. So let’s clear that up. Here’s what to look out for:

• A new mole or spot that appears suddenly

• A mole that changes size, shape or colour

• A spot that bleeds, crusts, or doesn’t heal

If in doubt, get it checked by your GP.

 

Enjoy The Sun, Responsibly.

This isn’t about scaring you into staying indoors. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s about having the knowledge and the tools to protect your skin for life. Sun safety should simply be another part of your self care routine, like eating well and exercising regularly. 

Because as individuals, we might not be able to change the climate, but we can change our habits, and skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers out there.

So let’s enjoy our beautiful island without paying the price later by applying some SPF when we head outdoors. Your future self will thank you. And whilst glowing sun-kissed skin is lovely, glowing with health is even better.