The National Mammography Screening Program

The National Mammography Screening Program was initiated by the ICA over 20 years ago, and has been implemented ever since in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and HMOs.
Over the years, the program has been monitored and funded by the ICA, from population-based diagnostic radiology screening among the target group of women ages 50-74, through surgical procedures and pathological diagnosis, to monitoring of women diagnosed with malignant tumors.
Since the program began, millions of mammography screenings were conducted by ICA Mobile Mammography Units, operated by Assuta Medical Center. To increase women's compliance to take the mammography screening in geographical and social peripheries, the ICA purchased its first Mobile Mammography Unit, 'Michal', in 2001, which was later replaced by a new unit.
The mobile mammography unit has helped bridge the gaps in compliance rates between the various sectors, such as ultra-Orthodox and new immigrant women, and the disparities between Jewish and Arab women have been completely eradicated. In 2024, an additional mobile unit joined, which also includes ultrasound equipment and allows for expanding the scope of examinations and accessibility to them.

The mobile units reach approximately 150 establishments across the country, and over 10,000 women undergo mammograms through each unit per year.

Studies indicate a significant reduction in the gaps between these sectors since its operation. Based on data collected through the National Mammography Screening and Quality Assurance program financed by ICA, it is shown that since the project's inception, breast cancer early detection rates have significantly improved.

Due to the demand for the mobile unit’s services, a second unit began operating in 2011. Both units were operated by professional staff from Assuta Medical Center in collaboration with all health service providers.
In 2015, about 30,000 tests were carried out in some 140 different venues all over the country. In 2016, the older unit was retired. The provision of a mobile unit from 2015 to 2017 was helped by a donation from the Azrieli Foundation (Israel).
According to details published by the Ministry of Health in November 2019, mammography screening rates for women aged 50-74 rose from 69% in 2014 to 72.5% in 2018, representing approximately 70,000 additional women among the target population.

In 2024 alone, about 22,600 screening tests were administered across the country via the mobile mammography units.

Lili Biller Lev

Committees and Projects Manager