Israel Sees High Breast Cancer Incidence But Low Mortality Rates

Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women in Israel, accounting for approximately one-third of all new cancer cases in women, according to the Ministry of Health's 2023 national cancer registry data. In 2023, 5,565 new cases were diagnosed, with 87% being invasive tumors and the remainder being in situ tumors. Positively, the risk of developing invasive breast cancer has significantly decreased by an average of 1.6% annually since 2013 for Jewish and other women, while rates have stabilized for Arab women since 2015. More tumors are being diagnosed at earlier stages, with a decrease in metastatic diagnoses.

Internationally, Israel ranks 33rd out of 186 countries for breast cancer incidence but 125th for mortality, a gap the Ministry of Health attributes to advanced diagnostics and treatment leading to high survival rates. As of the end of 2023, 25,466 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2019-2023 were living in Israel. In 2023, 999 women died from the disease, representing about 18% of all cancer deaths among women in Israel. While mortality has significantly decreased for Jewish and other women since 1996, it has remained stable for Arab women.

Five-year relative survival rates for those diagnosed between 2012-2019 were 92% for Jewish and other women and 87% for Arab women, with further improvements noted for later diagnoses. Dr. Larissa Rebo, Director of the Oncology Institute at Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital, emphasized that early detection and advanced treatment dramatically improve outcomes. "When breast cancer is detected at an early stage, the chances of recovery are very high and treatment options are broader," she stated.

Mammography is the primary tool for early detection and has been proven to reduce mortality. Additional screenings like ultrasound or MRI may be recommended based on individual risk and breast tissue density. The national early detection program recommends mammograms every two years for average-risk women aged 50-74 and annually for high-risk women starting at age 40. The Ministry of Health credits increased screening, technological, and medical advancements for improved survival and reduced mortality.

Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is recommended for healthy women of Ashkenazi or Ethiopian descent from age 25, with expanded coverage for Ethiopian descent in September 2025. However, these tests screen for specific common mutations, and normal results do not rule out other mutations. "The progress in personalized medicine allows tailoring treatment to the disease and patient characteristics, while considering side effects and maintaining quality of life," Dr. Rebo added. "The goal today is not just to prolong life, but to enable patients to live long-term with the best possible quality of life."