Lung Cancer rates in Israel: Smoking remains top risk despite decline in mortality
Lung Cancer in Israel: Smoking's Impact and Survival Rates
A recent study by Israel's Health Ministry highlights smoking as the main risk factor for lung cancer. Professor Lital Keinan-Boker from the National Center for Disease Control emphasized the clear link between smoking and lung cancer. The report, covering 1996-2021, noted 2,907 new cases in 2021, with men making up 60.3% of diagnoses. Smoking was linked to 80-90% of cases. Lung cancer is most common in those over 55, with only 8.3% of cases in younger individuals.
The study showed a 3.5% decline in lung cancer among Jewish men from 2016 to 2021, while rates for Jewish women remained stable. Arab men had the highest incidence, but rates for Arab women were the lowest. The average diagnosis age was 70.8 years for Jewish men and 66.9 years for Arab men, with Jewish women at 70.3 years and Arab women at 63.4 years.
Survival rates have improved, with Jewish men's rates rising from 15.3% to 25.7% and Jewish women's from 23.3% to 38.1%. Arab men's survival increased from 14.4% to 20.5%, and Arab women's from 19.7% to 33.9%. Mortality rates decreased for Jewish men by 3.4% and Arab men by 7.3%, while Jewish women's rates dropped by 2%. Arab women's mortality rates remained stable. Internationally, Israel ranks 55th in lung cancer incidence and 78th in mortality rates.
Doubts Revealed
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs, which are the organs in our chest that help us breathe. It can be very serious and is often caused by smoking.
Israel
Israel is a country in the Middle East, located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It is known for its rich history and diverse culture.
Smoking
Smoking is the act of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of tobacco or a drug. It is harmful to health and can cause diseases like lung cancer.
Survival Rates
Survival rates refer to the percentage of people who continue to live for a certain period of time after being diagnosed with a disease like cancer. Higher survival rates mean more people are living longer after diagnosis.
Health Ministry
The Health Ministry is a government department responsible for public health, medical services, and health regulations in a country. In Israel, it oversees health-related studies and policies.
Incidence
Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease, like lung cancer, that occur in a specific time period. It helps understand how common the disease is.
Mortality Rates
Mortality rates indicate the number of deaths caused by a disease in a certain population over a specific time. Lower mortality rates mean fewer people are dying from the disease.
Jewish and Arab Populations
In Israel, the population is made up of different ethnic groups, including Jewish and Arab people. They have different cultural and religious backgrounds.
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