According to Dr. Berger, the clinic often sees women at increased risk who are not being properly monitored. Tests are frequently performed at incorrect intervals or inappropriate examinations are chosen, which complicates early detection of breast cancer. In some cases, patients seek medical help with advanced disease, when surgical treatment is no longer possible.
Breast cancer treatment in Israel: an interview with Dr. Yaniv Berger
Dr. Yaniv Berger, Director of the Breast Health Center at Ichilov Hospital, emphasizes the importance of regular breast health monitoring. “To effectively detect breast cancer at early stages, every woman should undergo examinations according to an individualized plan. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment,” he notes.
16, Dec 2025
Challenges of insufficient follow-up
When to start screening
Dr. Berger recommends that women with an average level of risk visit a mammologist once a year starting at the age of 30. Women at increased risk, including those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, those who have previously undergone radiation therapy, or carriers of pathogenic BRCA gene mutations, should begin screening before the age of 30. From the age of 40, annual mammography becomes standard practice.
Additional screening methods
In women with dense breast tissue, mammography alone may be insufficient. In such cases, adding an ultrasound examination is recommended. Dense breast tissue is both a risk factor for the development of breast cancer and a reason why X-rays may not fully detect a tumor.
Determining risk groups
Risk assessment is based on family history and individual factors. Women whose close relatives have had breast or ovarian cancer are considered at increased risk and should begin screening at the age of 25. BRCA genetic testing is particularly important for women of Ashkenazi, part-Ashkenazi, and Ethiopian descent.
The role of self-examination
Dr. Berger emphasizes that breast self-examination is important for detecting changes in the skin, breast shape, or lymph nodes. However, even with regular self-checks, visits to a physician and imaging studies remain the key diagnostic methods.
Modern approaches to surgery
Breast cancer treatment in Israel has undergone significant changes. Today, surgeries are becoming more targeted and minimally invasive. In the past, radical mastectomies involved removal of the entire breast and lymph nodes, often leading to complications and poor aesthetic outcomes. Currently, the Ichilov Center uses advanced techniques that allow breast preservation, reduce the number of lymph nodes removed, and apply neoadjuvant therapy to shrink the tumor before surgery.
Endoscopic mastectomy: innovations in treatment
Special attention is given to endoscopic surgery. This method allows removal of the breast through a small incision of about 3 cm, while preserving the skin and areola. The advantages include more precise resection, preservation of sensitivity, and improved aesthetic results. Israeli experience in endoscopic breast cancer surgery is actively developing in collaboration with global experts, making breast cancer treatment in Israel one of the most advanced worldwide.
Breast cancer in Israel is diagnosed and treated at a high level, combining early detection with innovative minimally invasive methods. Patients receive an individualized approach that increases the chances of full recovery and minimizes trauma to the body, while preserving quality of life and the appearance of the breast. You can contact the clinic’s physicians for a consultation via the following link
