Islander diagnosed with skin cancer twice urges others to wear sunscreen
The rates of skin cancer are higher in the Channel Islands than in the UK.
As part of skin cancer awareness month we've been speaking to an islander impacted by the disease twice who now urges others to be more cautious in the sun.
Suzanne Young was diagnosed with skin cancer last year. It was a broken vein which alerted her to changes in her skin.
Basal cell carcinoma was cut out of Suzanne's face in January 2018. Since then, she has had a second diagnosis - this time the cancer was frozen.
She is one of the many diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer. Each year 377 new cases are found in Jersey. While 309 are found in Guernsey. Both are significantly higher than the recorded rates in England.
On average, non-melanoma skin cancers account for 45% of all cancers in Guernsey and 39% in Jersey - meaning it is the most common cancer in the Channel Islands. Experts say the best way to protect yourself is to seek the shade between 10am and 4pm, avoid tanning, never use sun-beds, and wear sunscreen everyday.
The symptoms of skin cancer includes the skin's surface developing: a crust or scab, a firm red lump, or the appearance of a non-healing scar.
If the changes in your skin don't go back to normal after four weeks that's when you should go to your doctor.
Anyone worried about skin cancer can get advice from:
NHS Choices – Skin Cancer
McMillan Cancer Support
Helpline: 0808 808 0000 to speak to a specialist nurse.
Cancer Research UK
Call our nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040