Alarming prostate cancer forecast: about 3,725 men will be diagnosed this year

The Israel Cancer Association estimates that by the end of 2026, about 3,725 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Israel, about 310 per month, and about 538 will die from the disease. Ministry of Health data indicates an upward trend in incidence. The article reviews possible risk factors, including alcohol consumption, physical activity, and lycopene, while emphasizing that these are observational studies that do not prove causality.

The Israel Cancer Association has published an alarming forecast for International Prostate Cancer Awareness Day: by the end of 2026, about 3,725 men in Israel will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, about 310 per month, and about 538 are expected to die from the disease. Data from the National Center for Disease Control at the Ministry of Health shows an annual increase of 3.8% in incidence among Jewish men (2015-2022) and 2.8% among Arab men (2016-2022). The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that by 2050, about 4,710 men will be diagnosed. The article reviews several studies: a large Finnish study found a link between alcohol consumption and an increase of up to 32% in risk; a meta-analysis in Nature Communications linked high physical activity to a 6% risk reduction; and a Spanish study found a link between high lycopene consumption and a 54% risk reduction. In all cases, it is emphasized that these are observational studies that do not prove causality. The article also includes a review of diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up options, as well as recommendations for a healthy lifestyle.