Israel Reports Over 5,500 New Breast Cancer Cases in 2023

As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Israel's Ministry of Health has released its latest statistics, revealing that 5,565 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the country in 2023. Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among Israeli women, accounting for approximately one-third of all new cancer diagnoses in this demographic.

Despite relatively high incidence rates compared to global averages, Israel demonstrates significantly lower mortality rates from the disease, ranking 125th out of 186 countries surveyed by the World Health Organization. This favorable survival rate is attributed to advanced diagnostic and treatment methods, leading to more tumors being detected at earlier stages and a decrease in metastatic diagnoses.

Between 2013 and 2023, there has been a notable average annual decrease of 1.6% in the risk of invasive breast cancer among Jewish and other women, while rates have stabilized among Arab women since 2015. As of the end of 2023, 25,466 women diagnosed between 2019 and 2023 were living in Israel, encompassing both survivors and those currently managing the disease. In 2023, 999 women died from breast cancer, representing about 18% of all cancer-related deaths among women in Israel.

Since 1996, a significant decline in mortality has been observed among Jewish and other women, with rates remaining stable for Arab women. The five-year relative survival rate for those diagnosed between 2012 and 2019 stands at 92% for Jewish and other women and 87% for Arab women, with further improvements noted for later diagnoses.

The national early detection program recommends mammograms every two years for women aged 50-74 at average risk, and annually for high-risk women starting at age 40. Professor Lital Keinan, Director of the National Disease Control Center at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the progress, stating, "The data indicate significant progress in dealing with breast cancer in Israel, with more cases diagnosed at early stages, high survival rates, and declining mortality in some populations." She emphasized that early detection is crucial for changing the course of the disease and saving lives.