National Cancer Strategy-Final

Cancer in Palestine
At the current stage of Palestine’s health transition, chronic
diseases contribute to a substantial proportion of total deaths in the
population. Cancer is considered the third leading cause of death
in the Palestinian society after Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular
diseases (representing 11% of total deaths).
The Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH) has a close follow – up
of oncology cases in Palestine and therefore it seeks all necessary
steps to improve its services in the field. It is important to note that
tens of million dollars is spent annually on the treatment of cancer
cases locally and abroad. 2005 statistics show that 3590 Palestinian
cancer patients were referred for treatment in Egypt, Jordan and
Israel.
MOH –PHIC data of 2005, Lung cancer was the most prevalent
type among males (13.8%) followed by Prostate cancer in the
second place (11.3%), and cola-rectal and anus cancer in the third
place (9.6%); whilst among females breast cancer occupied the
most prevalent type (31.4%), followed by cola-rectal (9.2%), and
then trachea and bronchus (5.5%).
Among the death- leading cancer types in Palestine (both West
Bank and Gaza Strip), lung cancer occupied the first place; colarectal
cancer, the second place; breast cancer, the third place; and
brain cancer, the fourth. Whereas, breast cancer was deemed the
first leading cause of death among females (21.1%).
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