Israel Cancer Association - Annual Report 2024

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Mammography Screening Program

In October 2024, the Israel Cancer Association launched Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marking the global fight against breast cancer in Israel and worldwide. Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignant disease among women in Israel. Each year, about 5,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Israel. According to a survey conducted by the ICA, 86% of Israeli women have not changed their routine checkups since October 7th, about 14% postponed or canceled checkups, and about 9% have not had them since. The cancellations and postponements were for examinations by a surgeon (49%), mammography tests (3%), and ultrasound examinations (30%). The survey also showed that 49% know that smoking increases the risk of breast cancer, 42% believe that physical activity reduces the risk of illness, and 37% indicated that balanced eating may reduce the risk. Moshe Bar Haim , ICA Director General, says that: "The survey results indicate a high level of awareness regarding the importance of early detection and the willingness to be tested even during wartime. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Israel and affects every family. Understanding the risk factors for the disease is important for reducing morbidity, and early detection is essential for increasing the chance of recovery up to about 90%. One of the risk factors is family history, and therefore it is crucially important to update your primary care physician about the history of breast cancer in the family to assess your personal risk of developing the disease. The Israel Cancer Association has been working for decades as a national catalyst for early detection programs, for Israeli research in the field of breast cancer, and works to increase awareness of the importance of prevention and early detection."

The National Mammography Screening Program was initiated by the ICA over 20 years ago, and has been implemented ever since in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and HMOs. Over the years, the program has been monitored and funded by the ICA: from population-based diagnostic radiology screening among the target group of women ages 50-74, through surgical procedures and pathological diagnosis, to monitoring of women diagnosed with malignant tumors. Since the program began, millions of mammography screenings were conducted. ICA Mobile Mammography Units As part of the national screening program, and to increase women's compliance to take the mammography screening in geographical and social peripheries, the ICA purchased its first Mobile Mammography Unit, 'Michal', in 2001, which was later replaced by a new unit. The mobile mammography unit has helped bridge the gaps in compliance rates between the various sectors, such as ultra-Orthodox and new immigrant women, and the disparities between Jewish and Arab women have been completely eradicated. The mobile mammography unit has been operating since 2010 by Assuta Medical Center, servicing members of all HMOs. In 2024, an additional mobile unit joined, which also includes an ultrasound device and allows for expanding the scope of examinations and accessibility to them.

During 2024 (January-November), about 22,600 screening tests were administered across the country via the mobile mammography units.

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