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

As October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, approaches, Israel's Ministry of Health released its 2023 national cancer registry data. Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women in Israel, accounting for approximately one-third of all new cancer cases in females. In 2023, 5,565 new cases were diagnosed, with 4,858 (87%) being invasive and an additional 707 being in situ.

Despite the high incidence, positive trends are emerging. Since 2013, there has been a significant annual decrease of 1.6% in the risk of invasive breast cancer among Jewish and other women, while rates among Arab women have stabilized since 2015. Compared to 186 countries globally, Israel ranks 33rd in incidence but 125th in mortality, indicating high survival rates due to advanced diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, more tumors are being diagnosed at earlier stages, with a decrease in metastatic diagnoses.

As of the end of 2023, 25,466 women diagnosed between 2019 and 2023 were living in Israel. In 2023, 999 women died from the disease, representing about 18% of all cancer deaths among women in Israel. Since 1996, there has been a significant decline in mortality among Jewish and other women, while rates for Arab women have remained stable. Five-year relative survival rates for those diagnosed between 2012 and 2019 were 92% for Jewish and other women and 87% for Arab women, with even higher improvements for those diagnosed more recently.

The national early detection program recommends mammograms every two years for women aged 50-74 with average risk, and annually from age 40 for those at increased risk. Increased use of these screenings, coupled with technological and medical advancements, is contributing to lower mortality and higher survival rates. Professor Lital Keinan, Director of the National Center for Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, stated that the data shows significant progress, with more early-stage diagnoses, high survival rates, and declining mortality in some populations. She emphasized that while breast cancer is still the most common malignancy, early detection can save lives and urged continued adherence to screening recommendations.