Figures released for 2007 by the South West Cancer Intelligence Service show that Jersey had an average of 49.1 people with lung cancer per 100,000 population, compared with 38.1 in south-west England.
Despite Jersey having an estimated population of 90,000, the figures are standardised and take into account an ageing population and other factors to make the figures completely comparable. In 2006, Jersey’s rates were more than 50 per cent higher at 61.3, compared with 40.1 in the south-west.
Dr Andrew Luksza, consultant respiratory physician at the Hospital, said that lung disease was a costly disease to treat and that the high incidence might be a legacy of cheap cigarettes.
