Israel Cancer Association - Annual Report 2023

Israel Cancer Association // Annual Report 2023

"Excuses" "Excuses" campaign, encouraging the public to take the colorectal early detection screening, was launched on the radio and in newspapers this year, too. The infomercial features people making different excuses for not taking the test. The campaign also calls on men and women ages 50 and up to take the occult

blood screening test once a year, in order to prevent the development of colorectal cancer or detect it early on. If the result is positive, the infomercial reminds the public to follow up on it according to a physician's recommendation. A newspaper ad was also produced, bearing the same messages in Hebrew and Arabic.

The Fight against Smoking

'World No Tobacco Day' On May 31st, the Israel Cancer Association along with the World Health Organization (WHO), marked World No Tobacco Day, a global awareness day in the fight against tobacco and nicotine use aimed at emphasizing the health risks associated with smoking and the legislation measures found efficient in reducing the number of smokers. According to the organization, smoking is responsible for about 8 million deaths per year, of which about 1 million die of passive smoking. About 8,000 people die each year in Israel from the hazards of smoking, of which 800 have never smoked but were exposed to this hazard. Smokers are not the only victims of smoking-related cancer morbidity. Exposing non smokers to passive smoking at home or in public places increases the risk of lung cancer. Moshe Bar Haim , ICA Director General: "With cumulative scientific data about smoking, one would expect a budgeted national program for smoking prevention in Israel, and a decrease in the number of smokers. Unfortunately, the tobacco and e-cigarette companies are hard at work, and this lethal habit is still causing physical and mental addiction, as almost every hour, a person dies of the hazards of smoking in Israel. Alongside this, we are deeply concerned by e-cigarette

epidemic among youth, a dangerous, addictive smoking product, which is a gateway into the world of smoking. We must act fiercely to eradicate this phenomenon, by banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes and flavored smoking devices immediately." The Annual School Competition on Tobacco Prevention, in Memory of the Late Dr. Marcus The annual competition on smoking prevention named after the late Dr. Marcus , is held annually between schools across the country, thanks to a collaboration between the ICA, SHEFI (the Education Ministry's Psychological Services), the Ministry of Health and the Israel Lung Association. The event was held at Beit Mati and concluded a busy year of activity A designated digital site was created especially for the competition, in which all competing videos and posters were uploaded along with extensive information by SHEFI and the ICA. This event brought to a close rich year of activity in schools on the topic of smoking prevention.

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