LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – According to a study emphasized by St. George’s University, more than 21.9% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in five sub-Saharan African nations are under 40 years old. This statistic has led SGU to advocate for risk-based screening protocols across the continent. The university emphasized that healthcare providers should evaluate individual risk factors alongside age when making screening decisions, warning that relying solely on age could hinder early detection efforts in underserved regions.
This appeal was part of SGU’s initiatives for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The institution underscored the importance of enhancing access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialist services. As per GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis among African women and the primary cause of cancer-related mortality in this population.
Dr. Tonia Frame, who oversees the Global Health Unit within SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, stated that age should not be the sole factor in assessing risk. “Breast cancer risk does not suddenly begin at a particular birthday,” she explained, noting that two women of the same age can have significantly different risk profiles. She advised women to become familiar with their usual breast appearance and sensations, urging prompt medical consultation for any unexplained changes.
Screening disparities result in many women remaining undiagnosed
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis cited by SGU revealed that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa have ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university attributed this gap partly to disparities in education, household income, health insurance coverage, and healthcare accessibility. Frame pointed out that breast cancer in Africa tends to affect women at a younger age, while access to advanced imaging technologies remains inconsistent.
Factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and previous high-risk lesions can influence screening strategies. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants might require earlier screening, potentially from age 25, based on clinical guidance. SGU encouraged women to discuss these risk factors, genetic counseling, and prior biopsy results with their healthcare providers.
AI-enhanced tools are vital for moving from awareness to effective treatment
The university highlighted artificial intelligence as a crucial resource for triage, interpreting imaging, prioritizing workflows, and estimating risk in areas lacking specialists. It cautioned that such AI tools need thorough validation, quality checks, diagnostic confirmation, and continuous oversight across diverse populations. “The most important feature is not the algorithm alone, but the complete pathway linking awareness, initial assessment, referral, diagnostic confirmation, and treatment,” Frame emphasized.
She suggested that community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral systems could extend primary healthcare services to women facing geographic, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU called for improved diagnostic infrastructure, enhanced training for frontline healthcare workers, and efficient referral networks. The university stressed that personalized screening approaches are essential to identify women who need earlier assessments without subjecting others to unnecessary procedures. It concluded that early detection improvements must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment.