Public Health officials "dissatisfied" by six-year cancer reporting lag

Wednesday 21 August 2024

Public Health professionals are "dissatisfied" with the "long reporting lag" on recording cancer data in the Channel Islands – with a report published today only including figures up to 2018.

A report on local cancer incidence and mortality rates in the Channel Islands was published today in both Jersey and Guernsey.

The report is the first of two catch-up reports expected this year which aim to reduce a long-standing reporting lag and bring cancer data more up-to date.

Today's publication only includes data up to 2018, while the second report – due to be published by the end of this year – will include data up to 2020.

"Actively working" to reduce reporting lag

Jenny Cataroche, Head of Public Health Intelligence in Guernsey, said: “We understand that questions will arise regarding the long reporting lag with the latest report including data up to 2018.

“Although reporting lags of up to two years are not unusual for cancer data due to the need to collate and verify data from all around the UK, we are dissatisfied with the reporting lag we currently have and are actively working to reduce this.

“Having timely data will put us in the best place to review and respond to any important changes in cancer rates for our population.”  

The report is by the National Disease Registration Service, a branch of NHS England, and and looks at comparisons between the Channel Islands and the UK.

A snapshot of the findings

The findings of the 2018 highlighted the need for focus on prevention work to tackle preventable cancers in the Channel Islands.

The report found that instances of skin cancer, head and neck cancers, and breast and prostate cancers were statistically higher in Jersey than England.

However, some cancer types had lower incidence in Jersey than in England, such as leukaemia and uterus cancer.

There was an average of 1,076 cancers registered each year in Jersey between 2016 and 2018.

Cancers become more common with age, and are overall more likely to affect men than women across all jurisdictions .  

Jersey has a similar mortality rate to Guernsey and England for all the main cancer types, with an average of 241 deaths due to malignant cancers registered each year between 2016 and 2018.

Islanders are encouraged to attend for cancer screening programmes when eligible.

More to follow – follow Express for updates...