Cancer is still one of the main causes of death in Israel, but data presented today by Dr. Micha Barchana, director of the National Cancer Registry in the Ministry of Health, show that Israel is a world leader in rates of recovery from the disease.
According to the figures Barchana presented at the launch of the “Knock on the Door” fund-raising campaign of the Israel Cancer Association, 61.4% of Jewish males and 67.3% of Jewish females, 50.7% of Arab males, and 64.9% of Arab females, survive for at least five years after being diagnosed with cancer. The figures indicate a steady and impressive rise in survival rates in comparison with previous decades, although they also indicate a substantial gap between Jews and Arabs.
The highest survival rates are among women who contract breast cancer. This is explained by an improvement in early diagnosis as a result of national mammography screening, initiated by the Israel Cancer Association. Prostate cancer patients also have high survival rates. This form of cancer is preventable, but there are no efficient methods of early detection.
Dr. Barchana said today that the high rates of survival from cancer exemplify the nature of the health system in Israel, which has various programs of early detection of cancer alongside advanced technologies and treatments.
Israel Cancer Association director Miri Ziv disclosed that treating cancer in Israel cost $715 million a year. “The donations collected in the “Knock on the Door” campaign will enable the Association to act on several fronts: promoting research through research grants to dozens of doctors and researchers, many cancer prevention activities, initiation and implementation of early detection programs, and more.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on October 13, 2009
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