Annual Report 2006

84
Isreal Cancer Association
Annual Report 2006
ICA Recommendations for the
Prevention and Early Detection of
Cancer
Prof. Eliezer Robinson, ICA Chairman reported
that 65% of death cases resulting from cancer may
be prevented by avoiding smoking, uncontrolled
sun exposure, maintaining the proper diet and
body weight and by exercising regularly. In his
opinion, many studies indicate risk factors that
increase the percentage of cancer patients as
opposed to protective factors that reduce the
risk of contracting cancer, and even prevent
it. The recommendations that Prof. Robinson
released during the press conference are based
on the European Rules program and a circular
distributed by the Ministry of Health Director
General dating from May 2005. Additionally,
Prof. Robinson reported on a trend towards a
decrease in cancer morbidity and impressive
achievements gained by ICA's ongoing activity
in this battle:
• For the first time in history, a decrease was
recorded in the number of patients diagnosed
with melanoma skin cancer and there was an
increase in the number of patients diagnosed
at an early stage.
• This past year's smoking rate is one of the
lowest ever recorded in the State of Israel
standing at approx. 24% (as opposed to 42%
in the eighties).
• Women's compliance to undergo a mammography
screening is steadily increasing
from year to year as is the early detection
rate of breast cancer.
• There is greater public awareness of the
importance of early detection tests. Today,
as opposed to past years, breast cancer and
colorectal cancer are detected at much earlier
stages than in the past and as a result, the
chances of curing patients are far greater.
New Data on Cancer Incidence
Rates in Israel
Dr. Micha Barhanna, Director of the National
Cancer Registry reported on new findings related
to cancer incidence rates in Israel. Colorectal
cancer constitutes the second most prevalent
malignant disease among the Jewish population
in Israel, after breast cancer. the rates are
steadily on the rise in all sectors of the population.
The disease is more prevalent among men;
however the gap between them and women is
not significant.
Over the past two decades lymphoma incidence
rates have doubled both among Jewish men
and among Jewish women. Ovarian cancer
incidence rates among Jewish women have
been in constant decline over the past few
years. Thyroid gland cancer incidence rates
are on the rise both in Israel and in the Western
world. The incidence rates among Jewish women
have doubled for the past two decades. A 50%
increase was recorded among Jewish men during
this period. Stomach cancer incidence is on
the decline in recent years in many countries.
The capacity to treat infections over the past
decade has apparently contributed to the decline
in incidence rates. A decline in bladder cancer
incidence rates has been documented among
the Jewish population.
Increase in Survival Rate and
Upgrade in Leukemia Diagnosis
and Treatment in Children
Prof. Batia Stark of Schneider Children's
Medical Center and Dr. Shay Izraeli of Sheba
Medical Center, who serve as co-Chairs of the
Israel Leukemia Protocol and are also members
of the international BFM group for monitoring
and treating childhood leukemia, are leading the
torch of the national revolution enabling better
diagnosis of children who have cancer thanks
to sophisticated and advanced molecular research.
This treatment method is implemented
in order to adapt treatment to the severity of the
child's illness so that more children are cured
and to valid long term damage. It is important
to note that a child recovering from cancer has
a long life as an active adult in society ahead
of him/her. Preventing long term damage is