Breast cancer diagnoses in Gaza dropped significantly, with only 250 cases reported in 2024 and approximately 260 in 2025, a sharp decline from the annual average of 360 cases before October 2023. This decrease indicates a catastrophic breakdown of healthcare services, rather than a true reduction in disease prevalence, risking hundreds of undetected cancer cases.

This crisis impacts thousands of women, highlighting a severe public health emergency where timely diagnosis and treatment for a critical illness have become nearly impossible. The ongoing disruption threatens to increase advanced-stage diagnoses and preventable deaths.

What the records show

As of October 1, 2026, Gaza's Ministry of Health warned of a "catastrophic health and humanitarian reality" for women with breast cancer. Screening and early diagnosis services are described as "extremely limited and virtually suspended" due to frequent breakdowns of mammography machines and critical shortages of laboratory reagents and medical equipment. Before the war, Gaza had about 15 mammography machines, but only three remained operational by October 2026.

The breast cancer treatment system suffers from a "near-total absence of approved treatment protocols". Oncology departments lack chemotherapy drugs, hormonal treatments, and targeted therapies. Radiotherapy services are "completely unavailable" inside Gaza, and operations for advanced tumor removal have ceased due to a lack of specialized medical capabilities. Dr. Mohammed Abu Nada, director of the Gaza Cancer Centre, confirmed that cancer care is fragmented, and doctors have resorted to administering expired chemotherapy drugs in some instances.

Infrastructure destruction is extensive. By June 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) documented 971 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, affecting at least 804 health facilities and 268 ambulances. The WHO reported in October 2026 that 94% of Gaza's hospitals have been fully or partially destroyed. Al-Shifa Hospital, for example, was raided twice and only resumed limited operations in December 2025.

The timeline

Before the conflict began in October 2023, Gaza saw approximately 360 new breast cancer cases diagnosed annually. By January 2024, Hiba Musbah, 36, was diagnosed with breast cancer and faced a seven-month delay in receiving chemotherapy due to medicine unavailability. She has been waiting approximately two years for security approval to leave Gaza for further treatment.

Najat Abu al-Sheikh, 46, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer on January 5, 2026. She received chemotherapy but requires unavailable radiotherapy. She registered for travel in April 2026, but as of October 21, 2026, was still waiting, having missed her scheduled radiotherapy in February 2026. The Palestinian Ministry of Health estimated approximately 11,000 cancer patients were struggling to access necessary care at that time.

What changed and for whom

The collapse of the healthcare system has created severe delays and a critical lack of care for cancer patients. The WHO, in October 2026, criticized restrictions on the entry of medicines and medical equipment, noting that obtaining an entry permit takes at least two and a half months. By June 2026, the WHO found that 97% of facilities lacked medical equipment, and over 80% faced medicine shortages.

Movement restrictions and difficulties in medical evacuation have led to dire consequences. Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) reported that at least 1,570 patients died waiting to leave Gaza for medical care due to Israeli restrictions, including 505 cancer patients and 264 children. By June 2026, over 18,500 critical patients were still awaiting evacuation. Patients also contend with displacement, poverty, food insecurity, and the general collapse of basic services, which further complicates their battle with cancer.

What the subject has said publicly

Gaza's Ministry of Health issued a warning on October 1, 2026, stating that the collapse of screening services may be concealing hundreds of breast cancer cases. Dr. Mohammed Abu Nada of the Gaza Cancer Centre acknowledged that while the Palestinian Ministry of Health recorded more than 500 breast cancer diagnoses for 2024 and 2025 combined, the actual number is likely higher due to disrupted diagnostic services and access difficulties. He explained that the destruction of medical infrastructure has fragmented cancer care, making consistent diagnostic services and treatment unavailable.

What we could not confirm

The precise, actual number of new breast cancer cases in Gaza for 2024 and 2025 could not be confirmed, as officials indicate the reported figures are likely underestimates due to severely disrupted diagnostic services.