Israel Faces Oncology Crisis as 27% of Cancer Specialists Consider Quitting

The Israeli Association for Clinical Oncology and Radiotherapy has issued a warning about an impending collapse in cancer care due to severe staff shortages and unprecedented burnout among medical teams. A report submitted to the Knesset Health Committee on Monday highlights that the increasing patient load and lack of proportional staffing threaten the availability and quality of life-saving treatments.

Data shows that from 2005 to 2019, the number of patients per oncologist surged from 216 to 547, a 2.5-fold increase without corresponding growth in physician numbers. Meanwhile, the rising incidence of cancer and the introduction of complex therapies such as immunotherapy and personalized medicine require significantly more intensive monitoring per patient.

The mental toll on oncology staff is substantial. A 2025 national survey reveals burnout levels among specialist doctors have risen to 4.1 from 3.2 in 2021, well above the average for all physicians. Among residents, burnout is even higher at 4.7. Additionally, 36% of oncologists report symptoms of depression, compared to 29% across the healthcare system, and 27% are contemplating leaving the profession.

Approximately 20% of active oncologists are aged 65 or older and continue working past retirement age, underscoring the critical shortage of specialists. This scarcity fuels intense competition among hospitals for personnel, disproportionately affecting smaller and peripheral medical centers and exacerbating disparities in treatment access.

Despite nationwide distribution of oncology clinics, about 60% of anti-cancer treatments occur in just four medical centers, three located in central Israel. Consequently, many patients must travel long distances for care, with 21% receiving treatment outside their home district. The southern region is hardest hit, where 36% of patients travel to central Israel, compared to 18% in Haifa and 12% in the north.