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Public Health partners with Skcin to offer skin cancer awareness training

Public Health partners with Skcin to offer skin cancer awareness training
  • Public Health partners with UK charity Skcin to offer skin cancer awareness training to beauty and health professionals
  • Ten free training spaces available to islanders, with reduced fees for enrolments until end of May
  • Guernsey's skin cancer incidence rate is 95% higher than England's, according to Public Health
  • Local beauty therapist Racheal Day says training has increased her confidence in recognising concerning skin changes
  • Training teaches the A-E rule for identifying possible melanoma signs and is open to members of the public
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Public Health has partnered with UK charity Skcin to offer skin cancer awareness training to hair, health, beauty and tattoo professionals on Guernsey and Alderney.

The collaboration aims to harness the unique position these professionals hold in spotting early signs and symptoms of skin cancer amongst their clients.

Public Health is offering ten free training spaces to islanders wanting to complete the online programme. Those interested can apply by emailing publichealth@gov.gg. Anyone who enrols on the training until the end of May will also be able to access the course from Skcin at a reduced fee.

Marie Tudor, CEO at Skcin, said: "People working in hair, beauty, health and tattoo artistry are uniquely placed to spot the early signs of skin cancer on their clients' skin. They are trusted professionals who can provide supportive advice and signpost clients to medical care, helping promote early diagnosis, improve outcomes and ultimately save lives. We are proud to collaborate with Guernsey's Public Health Services to provide the training."

Tudor added that whilst the training is being promoted to industry professionals, it is not restricted and any member of the public can sign up.

Local beauty therapist Racheal Day has already completed the MASCED training programme. She said: "The MASCED training has given me so much more confidence in recognising changes in the skin that might need medical attention. It's helped me understand what to look out for and how to have those conversations with clients in a supportive way. Knowing I could help someone spot something and encourage them to get it checked really shows how valuable this training is."

The training comes at a critical time for the islands, which face significantly higher rates of skin cancer compared to England.

Download Skcin's skin cancer awareness booklet

Diane Mathews, Strategic Screening Lead for Public Health, said: "Guernsey has incredibly high rates of skin cancer - our incidence rate of new skin cancer diagnoses each year is 95% higher than England's. Recent statistics from the Guernsey and Alderney Wellbeing Survey show that people are being sunburned more now than they were ten years ago."

Mathews described this as painting "a very concerning picture" that reinforces why spotting skin changes early is crucial in preventing serious disease.

Public Health is promoting the A-E rule as a simple but effective way to identify possible signs of melanoma:

• A – Asymmetry: One half of a mole or spot does not match the other • B – Border: Edges may be ragged, irregular or blurred • C – Colour: The mole or spot contains multiple colours • D – Diameter: Larger than the eraser on the end of a pencil • E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, colour, or elevation should be checked by a doctor

Mathews emphasised that the most important thing is to know your skin. "If you notice anything unusual, or if something has changed compared to your other moles or markings, you should book an appointment with the clinician at your GP surgery who specialises in skin," she said.

Key terms

MASCED
MASCED stands for Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection. It is an online training programme developed by the charity Skcin to teach beauty and healthcare professionals how to spot early signs of skin cancer and guide clients to seek medical help when needed.
With Guernsey having 95% higher rates of skin cancer than England, programmes like MASCED could be particularly valuable in training local beauty professionals to help identify potential cases earlier in a high-risk population.
UVR
UVR stands for ultraviolet radiation, which is invisible electromagnetic radiation from the sun and artificial sources like tanning beds. It includes UVA, UVB and UVC rays, with UVA and UVB reaching Earth's surface and causing skin damage that can lead to cancer.
Guernsey's geographic location and high rates of sunburn mentioned in the article suggest residents may have significant UVR exposure, making understanding and protection from these rays especially important for preventing skin cancer.
melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce skin pigment. Unlike other skin cancers, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body and be life-threatening if not caught early.
Given Guernsey's significantly higher skin cancer rates, early detection of melanoma through the A-E rule and professional training becomes critical for islanders' health outcomes.
incidence rate
An incidence rate in healthcare measures how many new cases of a disease occur in a specific population during a particular time period, usually expressed per 100,000 people per year. It helps compare disease rates between different populations or regions.
Guernsey's skin cancer incidence rate being 95% higher than England's indicates a significantly greater disease burden on the island's healthcare system and population, highlighting the urgent need for prevention and early detection programmes.

Q&A

Q: How can islanders apply for the free training spaces?
A: Islanders can apply for one of the ten free training spaces by emailing publichealth@gov.gg.

Q: How much higher is Guernsey's skin cancer rate compared to England?
A: Guernsey's incidence rate of new skin cancer diagnoses each year is 95% higher than England's, according to Public Health.

Q: What does the A-E rule help identify?
A: The A-E rule helps identify possible signs of melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularities, Colour variations, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving changes in size, shape, colour or elevation.

Key terms

MASCED
MASCED stands for Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection. It is an online training programme developed by the charity Skcin to teach beauty and healthcare professionals how to spot early signs of skin cancer and guide clients to seek medical help when needed.
With Guernsey having 95% higher rates of skin cancer than England, programmes like MASCED could be particularly valuable in training local beauty professionals to help identify potential cases earlier in a high-risk population.
UVR
UVR stands for ultraviolet radiation, which is invisible electromagnetic radiation from the sun and artificial sources like tanning beds. It includes UVA, UVB and UVC rays, with UVA and UVB reaching Earth's surface and causing skin damage that can lead to cancer.
Guernsey's geographic location and high rates of sunburn mentioned in the article suggest residents may have significant UVR exposure, making understanding and protection from these rays especially important for preventing skin cancer.
melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce skin pigment. Unlike other skin cancers, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body and be life-threatening if not caught early.
Given Guernsey's significantly higher skin cancer rates, early detection of melanoma through the A-E rule and professional training becomes critical for islanders' health outcomes.
incidence rate
An incidence rate in healthcare measures how many new cases of a disease occur in a specific population during a particular time period, usually expressed per 100,000 people per year. It helps compare disease rates between different populations or regions.
Guernsey's skin cancer incidence rate being 95% higher than England's indicates a significantly greater disease burden on the island's healthcare system and population, highlighting the urgent need for prevention and early detection programmes.

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