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 were under 40. This statistic has led SGU to advocate for screening strategies that prioritize individual risk factors in addition to age across Africa. The university emphasized that relying solely on age could hinder early detection efforts in underserved populations, warning healthcare providers to consider personalized assessments when planning screening protocols.
This appeal was part of SGU’s initiatives for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, where the institution underscored the importance of enhancing access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialist services. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated in 2026 that Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 deaths in 2024, based on GLOBOCAN 2024 data. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among African women and the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities in this group.
Dr. Tonia Frame, who oversees the Global Health Unit within SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, stressed that age alone should not be the sole factor in determining risk. She explained, “Breast cancer risk does not suddenly begin at a particular birthday,” and noted that women of the same age can have vastly different risk profiles. She advised women to become familiar with their breasts’ normal appearance and sensations, encouraging prompt medical attention for any unexplained changes.
Screening disparities hinder early detection for many women
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis cited by SGU revealed that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa had ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university attributed this gap partly to disparities in education levels, household income, health insurance coverage, and healthcare access. Frame pointed out that breast cancer in Africa often manifests at a younger age, yet access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent across regions.
SGU identified family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic factors, breast density, and early high-risk lesions as elements influencing screening strategies. Women carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations might require earlier screening, possibly from age 25, depending on clinical guidelines. The university urged women to discuss these factors, along with genetic counseling and previous biopsy results, with their healthcare providers.
AI-enhanced tools are essential for improving diagnosis pathways
SGU highlighted artificial intelligence as a valuable resource for triage, interpreting images, prioritizing workflows, and estimating risk in regions with limited specialists. The university cautioned that such tools need validation, quality assurance, diagnostic confirmation, and ongoing monitoring across diverse population groups. Frame stated, “The most important feature is not the algorithm alone, but the complete pathway linking awareness, initial assessment, referral, diagnostic confirmation and treatment.”
She also suggested that community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral systems could help extend primary healthcare services to women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU called for improved diagnostic infrastructure, increased training for frontline healthcare providers, and more effective referral pathways. The university emphasized that personalized screening approaches should identify women needing earlier assessments without subjecting others to unnecessary procedures. It added that early detection improvements must be coupled with timely diagnosis and treatment.