Study: Israel has among highest cancer survival rates in the West

Indeed, Australia and New Zealand are South Pacific countries but due to colonists from Great Britain and other European countries, the culture is 100% Western since the aborigines of lands like Australia, not having a written tradition and the benefits of science, melted into the background after more than a century of occupation. Palestine, colonised for 61 years, has always had a Middle Eastern culture. That is why the Israelis from Western and Eastern Europe and US immigrants do not fit in with the natives who will never submerge their identity to that of the immigrants and, like an invaded body, will reject the foreign implants. There are traditions, music, literature, food (which Israelis claim as their own, falafel, shwarma, etc.). And yes, there are Arab scientists and scholars. The Arabs initiated the European renaissance with their learning, unfortunately, the Ottoman occupation of centuries isolated Arabs from the benefits. But once free, they will catch up.

"Is this man an officer or enlisted?" "Enlisted." "Make the stitches bigger." - An Operating Room Scene in MASH

Connie, I am sorry you missed my sarcasm in using the hyperbole of America's lunatic right. I thought that my last comment, which pointed out that the Israeli medical system (which is not socialized medicine) produces far better results than what we have in America. Israel has a medical system which works. It works far better than most. It is not as good as some. The only thing that America's medical system does well is make profits.

We read "Israel has one of the highest survival rates among cancer patients in the West," Israel is not a Western country in the common understanding of that term. If you mean 'democracy' say so, but geographically, and in many other respects, it can not be classified as 'Western'.

I was using right-wing hyperbole for sarcastic effect Oleg. And by all statistics both the Canadian and Israeli systems work better than the American method. We don't have a system, we have a train wreck.

I have many things I'd like to point out to Mr. Axel, but let me point out the one thing that is begging to be pointed out to you: I've read quite a few of your posts to various articles published in Ha'aretz, and there's one obvious common thread to them all time and again. You have absolutely nothing positive to add, absolutely nothing positive at all. It is all destructive criticism stemming from your inherent bigotry and delusional superiority. Take that to heart please, and think about what I've said to you. Thank You.

I don't think there is another country on this planet that is more concerned with ethnicity/religion than the Germans. During the nazi regime the nazi's went to great lengths to find an ounce of Jewish blood in a person so that they could gas them to death. The teutonic plague continues throughout the ages...it seems to be genetic. Why don't you ask your historians "what kind of ethnicity would be recorded for a person with a father of Indian and a mother of Nigerian origin that are German citizens"...believe me when push comes to shove and things get dicy in the teutonic paradise the so called "pure" will erase those that are considered undesirable.Look what you did to the Jews and we all know that history has a way of repeating itself and old hatreds never die. Nigerians...Indians,Jews whatever they need not apply because in your eyes they are not pure... this is hogwash to rational thinking people.

"The Arab sector survival 51/65% rates are bad? Even if less than the Jewish sector." Did I say it is bad? First indication of your biased reading. What I said: It is remarkable that Israeli statistics can tell exactly between Jewish and Arab sectors. Seems like there are never Israelis with mixed parents? Or do you have criteria which assign every individual to one "sector". I doubt that German medical statistics give numbers about the Aryan and the non-Aryan sector ... which would be somehow comparable.

The Arab sector survival 51/65% rates are bad? Even if less than the Jewish sector. Why keep ethnicity statistics? Why not? This indicates where extra effort is necessay. For instance, Arab women need NO extra effort. And their men smoke much more. As about your friendly comments and questions, they indicate you have treatable problems. Jewish psychiatry is famously excellent ... Freud, Adler, you know ... Austrian, German, like you!

"Every country for statistical reason records ethnicity , including Deutchland" As we are talking about medical records, this is rubbish. Nationality is an objective data. What ethnicity do you expect would be recorded for a person with a father of indian, a mother of nigerian origin, and both german citizens? Of course you are invited to prove my wrong, if you can ...

so sorry to burst your bubble mark lincoln but although Israel does have socialized medicine you can also have a choice of going to your own Dr. which many people do. I have a friend who just had hip replacement surgery and it was done privately...from your post I can see that you are an advocate of the obama plan....you know obama care..which is to die for. Well you are asking for a shorter life span...no new technology and general chaos. My goodness what has happened to you? It appears that your veil has dropped and the real mark lincoln has emerged. Before you tried disguising your hatred now you feel comfortable enough to let it out full force and you know what it is ugly and smacks of hatred and bigotry. As for Rush Limbaugh I will continue listening to him as well as Mark Levin,Glenn Beck,Laura Ingraham,Bill O'Reilly,Michael Medved, Hugh Hewitt...the truth is more important to me than feeling good and bursting with emotion which is what navigates the left.

Mark, As an Israeli citizen with parents living in Israel, I can tell that Israel has 2 tier medical system: both public and private. It's not a "commie" system like we have here in Canada (only public), which really doesn't work. That what Rush really meant.

Don't you folks in Israel know that your system of medical care does not work and is evil godless commie socialized medicine? If not you need to listen to Rush Limbaugh. I might know Israel has a much lower infant mortality rate than the US, and that the average life expectancy is higher, but those are facts and Right Thinking People are never confused by facts.

Every country for statistical reason records ethnicity , including Deutchland . Here in USA every research in medicine considers differences among segments of population . If you implying racism , because Israel is the subject , then you are as wrong as always .

why Arab survival rate is lower , although not much lower . In every country , including here in America , minorities are less educated and as such it reflects on their overall health condition . The culture is another factor . And there are is very little anyone can do about , cultures change is very difficult to do . Meanwhile Israeli Arabs are in a best health of any other Arabs in the world .

Most countries do keep rcords on survival rates according to gender, ethnicity, age and other demographic factors. It aids in determining proper allocation of resources, and treaments.

" members of the Arab sector." You are of commendable honesty by describing the Israeli society as sectorized.

One of the main reasons for high survival rates in Israel is the availability to the public of early detection procedures. Perhaps Jewish residents avail themselves more of these tests than do members of the Arab sector.

Another question: What kind of health care system is it where the ethnicity of patients is recorded? Does israel also keep statistics for blacks and whites?

@Seamus: your are correct but this is not about geography. Austrialia and New Zealand are not in the "West" but are, like Israel, Western countries in culture, politics and civilization. Comparing Israel medical achievements with the medical achievements of the Arab world is a joke. Arab states would find themselves at the very tailend of such statistics - if at all.

can anybody please explain the discrepancy ?

In Israel you feel alive, so you treat people from that perspective. You criticise us for being alive, with determination, freedom of thought, confidence but in reality it is your way that created the disinterest in your fellow man. There is no reason for Israel to have a greater success rate other than my own experience .. They cared if I lived or died & if that can be done with a little extra care as to not have any visible scarring all the better .. THANK YOU SO MUCH G-d Bless Israel & those that believe in her right to exist.

The correct correlation is: in the countries where patients lifespan is tracked after cancer treatment. Because such tracking depends on the existence of central cancer databases where individual cancer detection and therapy is entered as well as death dates. Such cancer databases are not kept in all states.

"Israel is in the Middle East, wheter you dislike it or not." Do you go saying the same thing on Australian websites too, when they are considered to be "West" in certain contexts? I bet you don't, bigot. By the way, did you know that Spain is in the Iberian peninsula, whether you like it or not? And that some North Europeans do not consider it 100% European, even though it is in Europe? A bit too close to North Africa for some tastes. Why, some Muslims even consider it Muslim land... go figure! "So the title should be "Israel has among highest (cancer) survival rates in the Middle East"." I see you are not very strong on the logical side, either. Why should that be the title? Do you know this statement to be a fact? Or are you assuming? And the reason for assuming this would be?

And what of Australia, New Zealand..? These countries are Western countries regardless of geographical position - as is Israel.

The implied meaning is "Israel has among highest cancer survival rates among developed nations".

Israel is in the Middle East, wheter you dislike it or not. So the title should be "Israel has among highest (cancer) survival rates in the Middle East".