On the Home Front: Hundreds of clinics in all HMOs across the country will offer free examinations for National Skin Cancer Awareness Week, held annually by the Israel Cancer Association in collaboration with Clalit Health Services, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Meuhedet, and Leumit Health Services. Residents evacuated from their homes will be examined at a free clinic near their current location.
This is the fourth decade of this national program conducted by the Israel Cancer Association under the title: Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Awareness Week, which will be held this year in the shadow of the Israel-Hamas war, from Monday 24.6.24 through Sunday 30.6.24 and will also include an offer to purchase radiation filters at a significant discount at the HMOs' pharmacies.
This is a unique nationwide program in Israel initiated by the Israel Cancer Association, in which the general public is invited to be examined for free by dermatologists and plastic surgeons for the early diagnosis of skin cancer, which has the power to save lives. Thanks to the program and awareness throughout the year, Israel's early detection success rates are among the highest in the world, a fact that allows for a dramatic increase in cure rates and a dramatic decrease in mortality.
According to estimates by the Israel Cancer Association, in 2023, about 2,000 women and men were diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the skin. About 60% were men and about 40% were women.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, in 2020, 1,675 new patients were diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the skin in Israel. An absolute majority of 91.9% of patients were diagnosed with a melanoma in-situ. That year, 192 women and men died from the disease. Mortality was observed in older ages and was higher in men than women.
An international comparison in descending order from the country with the highest rate to the lowest in 2020, Israel ranked 23rd among the 30 countries with the highest incidence rates (number of cases per hundred thousand population) in the world and last among the 30 countries with the highest mortality rates in the world, which means Israel has the lowest mortality rates in the world. In 2019, 1,818 new patients were diagnosed, in 2017 1,798 patients were diagnosed, and more than a decade ago in 2013, 1,634 Israelis were diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the skin.
According to data from the Israel Cancer Association, people whose occupations or hobbies expose them to prolonged sun exposure, such as sailors, farmers, surfers, swimmers, or those involved in other marine sports, or anyone who works outdoors and is exposed to sun radiation, are at increased risk of developing skin cancer. People who are exposed to the sun intensively intermittently, such as on weekends or vacations, are also at increased risk of developing skin cancer.
At risk of developing skin cancer are people with many moles, people with light skin, hair, and eyes, and those with freckles; people whose skin burns easily in the sun or does not tan at all; those with close relatives with many moles or who have had skin cancer; those who have suffered from numerous sunburns, especially in childhood; people taking immunosuppressive medications or suffering from immunocompromising diseases; and people taking medications that increase skin sensitivity to sun radiation.
Moshe Bar Haim, CEO of the Israel Cancer Association, said: "Alongside the war, we continue to fight skin cancer as well. Every month, about 18 women and men in Israel are diagnosed with melanoma. In about 92% of cases, it is a very early diagnosis of melanoma, thanks to our annual program with the HMOs and awareness-raising activities throughout the year. In addition to the dramatic importance of early detection, which reduces mortality, it is even more crucial to prevent the disease in the first place. I urge women and men to minimize sun exposure. Being Sunsmart® is a life-saving message for adults, not just children."
Dr. Marina Landau, a dermatology specialist at Shamir Medical Center, Maccabi Healthcare Services, and a consultant to the Israel Cancer Association on skin cancer, added: "Proper use of sun protection filters reduces the damage of sun exposure, especially the risk of burns, skin cancer, and premature skin aging. It is recommended to use broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher in the recommended amount, and reapply as directed. But it's important to remember that sun exposure should be avoided as much as possible, even when using sunscreen."
It should be emphasized that during the National Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Awareness Week, the HMOs will offer a significant discount on a variety of radiation filters, for example:
Many celebrities around the world have revealed their stories of battling skin cancer in recent years. They not only fought melanoma but also used their experiences to educate the public on the importance of early detection and the need for regular medical check-ups. Their personal stories serve as a powerful reminder of the critical role of awareness and prevention. Just recently, musician Kevin Jonas revealed in an Instagram video that he was diagnosed with skin cancer and underwent removal of a cancerous mole. Chloe Kardashian also disclosed that a spot on her face turned out to be melanoma, and she underwent surgery. The Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who has been dealing with skin cancer in recent years, openly discusses his illness in every interview, regularly posts pictures and videos on Instagram, and urges everyone to get checked. Others who have also dealt with the disease include Ewan McGregor, who had several suspicious lesions removed, one of which was skin cancer, and Caitlyn Jenner, who recently underwent facial surgery to remove early-stage melanoma and posted videos on social media to talk about the process. Additionally, Anderson Cooper, an American journalist and news anchor who recently visited Israel after October 7th, underwent surgery to remove skin cancer from under his left eye a decade ago and spoke about the importance of sun protection and regular visits to a dermatologist.
The Israel Cancer Association operates a Melanoma and Skin Cancer Forum, allowing patients and their families to ask questions and receive professional answers from experts. The forum is voluntarily managed by Prof. Jacob Schachter, Deputy Director of the Oncology Division and Director of the Ela Institute for Melanoma and Skin Cancer Treatment and Research at Shiba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, and a member of the Israel Cancer Association's Skin Cancer Update Committee, together with Dr. Felix Pavlotsky, Head of the Dermatology Department at Shiba Medical Center and a consultant to the Israel Cancer Association on skin cancer. Click to enter the forum.
It should be noted that the Israel Cancer Association's activities during the National Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Awareness Week are accompanied by a media and social media campaign aimed at encouraging the public to get a free examination, especially for those with a suspicious spot or skin change. The campaign was produced voluntarily by the Gitam BBDO advertising agency.
The Israel Cancer Association urges the public to get a free examination at your HMO as part of the National Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Awareness Week campaign. Call Clalit at *2700, Maccabi at *3555, Meuhedet at *3833, and Leumit at 1-700-507-507. If you were unable to attend, you can be examined throughout the year at a reasonable cost. For questions and assistance, contact Telmeida, the 24/7 toll-free telephone information service at 1800-599-995 or visit the website at https://en.cancer.org.il/.