Israel Cancer Association 2009 case study

•    Since the implementation of the ICA-initiated National Mammography Screening Project, now operating in collaboration with the Health Ministry and all HMOs, 2009 statistics on the WHO European region, indicated that Israel leads in breast screening compliance rates. Additionally, breast cancer survival rates have risen significantly.
•    ICA has prompted the National Colorectal Screening Project, and thanks to its vigorous activity to prevent skin cancer and promote its early detection, a genuine behavioral change has emerged.
•    ICA has launched an extensive public education campaign to promote a healthy and active life style - the energy balance, by preventing obesity and promoting physical activity. The campaign successfully raised the awareness to the fact that a healthy life style may reduce the risk of cancer.  
•    ICA’s 2009 lobby successfully raised taxes on cigarettes to reduce the smoking rate.

Thanks to ICA-led activities, according to Israel’s National Cancer Registry statistics, there has been a decrease in incidence rates of some preventable cancers, higher early detection rates and a decline in mortality rates.

•    ICA serves as a "watchdog" for improved health services, keeps the public informed, initiates and promotes legislation to protect and enhance patients' rights.
•    ICA has succeeded in underlining the significance of oncology cancer control issues, ensuring that it top the list of national priorities; ICA endeavored to diffuse myths associated with cancer, updates and train professional staff, and makes sure the drug basket includes the most advanced drugs and treatments. ICA established and operates Israel’s first-ever inpatient hospice and home care hospice, and has built an infrastructure for an Israeli palliative care network.