FURTHER preventative tests and screening programmes could be introduced to boost early detection of cancer, it was confirmed at the official opening of the Island’s new breast-screening unit.
Consultant oncologist Dr Elizabet Dos Santos told attendees that health leaders were assessing how emerging diagnostic technologies could be brought to the Island.
“There are a lot of new tests coming online and we are looking at how we can bring that all to Jersey in the future,” she explained.
“The only way we can impact outcomes is by diagnosing earlier because the earlier we can diagnose [cancer], the better chance we have of curing it.”
Dr Dos Santos – who is also the chair of the Island’s Cancer Strategy Implementation Committee – made the comments as she marked the official opening of the new breast-screening unit at the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre.
Around 3,000 Islanders have already been screened since the service began operating in November.
The event marked the formal launch of a project that will see all eligible Islanders automatically invited for breast checks by the end of 2027, a major step announced in the wider Cancer Strategy launched earlier this year.
The unit was officially opened by former Health Minister Anne Pryke, who is the chair of Jersey Cancer Relief and daughter of Enid Quenault, after whom the centre is named.
Mrs Pryke said: “It is an honour to officially open the new breast-screening unit at the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre.
“This state-of-the-art facility represents a significant step forward in the early detection of breast cancer, and we are proud to support such a vital service for women in Jersey.”
Jersey Cancer Relief contributed £530,000 to the project to fund a new mammographer, a full-time administrator and training for an associate practitioner.
A new £255,000 mammography machine was also donated by the John Clive Le Seelleur Trust.
The centre, based at the former Les Quennevais School site, opened in August 2023.
The new screening facility is a key part of the Island’s Cancer Strategy – a partnership between the Health Department and Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey – which sets out plans to reduce cancer risk, increase early detection and improve care across the board.
