Rise in breast cancer in Israel: 113 women diagnosed per week, about 1,100 may die this year
According to the Israel Cancer Association's estimate, about 5,870 women in Israel are expected to be diagnosed with the disease by the end of 2026. New studies have found a link between night shifts and increased risk, while weight-loss injections and physical activity have been linked to reduced risk. The forecast for the coming years points to a further increase in the number of those diagnosed and the number of deaths. The encouraging news: early detection improves the chances of recovery by 90% or more.
About 113 women are diagnosed every week in Israel with breast cancer — the most common cancer among women in the country — according to new data published this morning (Wednesday) by the Israel Cancer Association ahead of the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which will be marked in October.
According to the Association's estimate, by the end of 2026, about 5,870 women in Israel are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 1,100 are expected to die from the disease during the year. According to Ministry of Health data, breast cancer accounts for about a third of new cancer cases among women each year, and the main morbidity is among women over the age of 50. Men account for only about one percent of those diagnosed each year.
The forecast for the coming years points to a further increase in the number of those diagnosed and the number of deaths. According to the forecast of the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2050, about 6,930 women are expected to be diagnosed in Israel with breast cancer, and about 1,770 patients are expected to die from the disease in that year.
Early detection saves lives
The Association emphasizes that early detection of the disease is of great importance. "When breast cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, the chances of recovery jump to 90% or more, as early detection dramatically changes the course of the disease and saves lives," explains Moshe Bar-Haim, CEO of the Israel Cancer Association.
The national early detection program is intended for women from the age of 50, who are supposed to perform a mammogram once every two years. Women aged 45 to 49 can contact a doctor and consult regarding performing the test from this age.
Risk factors and prevention
Alongside the data in Israel, the Association presented a study from Finland that included 42,379 women and examined the link between shift work and breast cancer morbidity. Among women aged 50 and over, a sequence of more than three night shifts was found to be associated with a 64% higher risk for the disease, and evening shifts with a 28% higher risk. However, this is an observational study that does not prove a causal link.
Another study, which included 111,646 women in the United States with excess weight or obesity, examined the link between GLP-1 family drugs and breast cancer. The use of the drugs was found to be associated with a 30% lower chance of diagnosing the disease. Here too, this is an observational study that does not prove that the drugs themselves actually reduced the risk.
A study from Norway, which included 325,953 women, also found a link between physical activity and a reduced risk of breast cancer. Women who performed 4-5 hours of high-intensity activity per week had an 11% lower risk, and those who exercised for six hours or more had a 28% lower risk. Here too, this is an observational study that does not prove a causal link.
The Association also mentions the link between alcohol consumption and the disease. According to the data presented, studies found an increase of about 7%-10% in the risk of developing breast cancer among women who drink one alcoholic beverage per day, and an increase of about 20% among women who drink two or more alcoholic beverages per day, compared to women who completely abstain from drinking alcohol.
Genetic testing
Another recommendation concerns genetic carriage. The Association emphasizes that for healthy Jewish women of Ashkenazi descent, full or partial, and for women of Ethiopian descent, it is recommended to perform a blood test to detect carriage of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The test is provided free of charge within the health basket, even without a family history and without the need for prior genetic counseling.
According to the report of the Israeli consortium, monitoring in accordance with the recommendations can prevent about 280 cases of breast and ovarian cancer each year in Israel.
The Association recommends that women aged 50 to 74 perform a mammogram once every two years. Women aged 45 to 49 can consult with a doctor regarding performing the test from this age. For women whose first-degree relative (mother, daughter, or sister) has had breast cancer, a mammogram is recommended from age 40 once a year, or earlier according to the doctor's recommendation. For carriers of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and women in other risk groups, it is recommended to perform an MRI of the breast once a year, in accordance with the Ministry of Health's recommendations.
