People in Jersey affected by cancer are invited to an event at the Library for World Cancer Day.

Closer to Home aims to help anyone affected by cancer, whether they have the disease, a friend or family member of someone who is ill or a healthcare professional.

Jersey Library is opening its doors to a wealth of charities and organisations from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm, on 4 February 2025.

Jersey Cancer Strategy Implementation Committee Chair, Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos, says this year’s World Cancer Day theme, ‘United and Unique,’ reminds islanders that every cancer journey is different.

"Still our strength lies in coming together to provide comprehensive and compassionate care.

"By collaborating with charities and community organisations, we can unite our efforts to address the unique needs of each patient, ensuring they feel supported at every step of their journey.

"Together, we can build a future where no one faces cancer alone."

Jersey Library, Halkett Place, St Helier.

World Cancer Day 2025, marked on 4 February annually, sheds light on the disease and calls for a 'fundamental shift' in cancer care and health systems worldwide towards a people-centred approach.

Around 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime, worldwide, and 1 in 2 people in the UK.

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) says each person it affects will have a different experience.

By understanding and integrating the needs and preferences of individuals and communities into healthcare delivery, health systems will provide more equitable access to care, in low- as well as high-income settings.

It is important that people living with cancer feel seen, heard, and empowered.

– Dr Cary Adams, CEO of the Union for International Cancer Control

There are more than 200 types of cancer, which require specific treatments.

Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President of UICC and Secretary General of the Swedish Cancer Society says health systems become more effective and cancer care more compassionate when placing individuals first, leading to higher survival rates, and improved quality of life.

"Every person touched by cancer is unique in their experiences and requirements.

"The cancer community is united in its determination to see improvements in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and care for everyone."

ABC's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign

The services that will be attending include:

• Cancer.je - A resource hub of information, advice, links and patients' stories;
• Jersey Hospice Care - An inpatient unit that offers palliative car, bereavement and emotional support, spiritual care, complementary therapy and education and training workshops;
• Travel and Oversees Team (GoJ) - Travel for patients needing treatment in the UK that helps with escorts, accommodation, emergency transfer services and repatriation;
• Improving the Cancer Journey Jersey (ICJJ) - A partnership between the government health department and Macmillan Jersey that offers holistic care and helps with patients' hidden challenges;
• ABC Jersey - Helps patients and families with financial and emotional support for people with breast cancer and carries out health promotion campaigns;
• Work & Family Hub (GoJ) - Health benefits and Income Support and Impairment;
• Jersey Cancer Relief - Offers financial support, practical assistance and specialist nurse funding;
• Help2Quit - A service which offers free, confidential support to anyone who wants to stop smoking, with free nicotine replacement therapy;
• Friends of Jersey Oncology - A charity that gives financial support and FOJO packs, which also helps to fund the oncology unit's equipment, PICC lines service and training;
• Viberts - Legal support;
• Liberty Bus - Public transport company offering concessionary passes for those with long-term health conditions and customisable accessibility cards.
• CLIC Sargent  - Financial and emotional support;
• Customer Experience Team (GoJ) - Government support;
• Live Life Fitness Coach - Fitness classes for people with cancer. 

Macmillan coffee morning

A free Q&A will happen between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm with people leading the Jersey Cancer Strategy, which can be booked online.

The session allows people affected by cancer to ask experts questions and learn more about their field.

Those in attendance include:

• Dr Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos - Strategy Lead,
• Kerry Le Crom - Lead for Improving the Cancer Journey Jersey,
• Sarah Evans - Primary and Preventative Care,
• Lorna Pirozzolo - Cancer.je - Voice of Cancer Patients,
• Susie Hazeldine - Travel Office Manager,
• Antonia Rubio - Cancer Advocate and Charity Ambassador.

Antonia Rubio, says it is important to recognise that each person’s cancer journey is unique.

"Having the Cancer Strategy in place ensures that each person’s individual needs are being catered for.

"Through my own personal experience with cancer, it has been so wonderful to see the feedback I have provided being taken onboard by the Network to review as areas for potential development."