LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has emphasized the importance of adopting risk-based breast cancer screening methods across Africa after a study revealed that 21.9% of women diagnosed with the disease in five sub-Saharan African nations were under the age of 40. The university recommended that healthcare providers consider individual risk factors alongside age when determining screening needs. It cautioned that relying solely on age could hinder early detection efforts, especially in underserved communities.
This recommendation was made during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the critical need for expanded access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialist care. According to estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer‘s GLOBOCAN 2024 data, published in 2026, Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new cases of breast cancer and 100,070 related deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the continent and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among them.
Dr. Tonia Frame, Assistant Professor and Director of the Global Health Unit in SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, pointed out that risk levels differ from person to person. “Breast cancer risk does not suddenly begin at a particular birthday, and two women of the same age may have very different risk profiles,” she explained. Frame urged women to familiarize themselves with how their breasts normally look and feel, and to seek prompt medical attention for any unexplained changes.
Genetic and family history influence screening strategies
According to Frame, breast cancer in Africa often presents at a relatively younger age, and access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent. The university identified factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and previous high-risk lesions as critical elements that could influence individual screening plans. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations may require earlier screening, potentially starting from age 25, depending on clinical guidelines.
SGU also referenced a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2026, which found that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa had ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university linked disparities in screening uptake to differences in education, household income, health insurance coverage, and access to healthcare services. It called for improvements in diagnostic infrastructure, enhanced training for frontline health workers, and broader availability of imaging and pathology services. Additionally, stronger referral systems are necessary to ensure women with abnormal findings receive timely treatment.
Artificial intelligence has potential to aid detection in low-resource settings
The university highlighted that artificial intelligence could assist in detection processes such as patient triage, image analysis, workflow management, and risk assessment, especially in areas with limited specialist capacity. Nonetheless, it emphasized that AI tools require rigorous validation, quality assurance, diagnostic confirmation, and ongoing monitoring across diverse populations. “AI output is not a diagnosis,” Frame noted. She added that AI results must be interpreted in conjunction with a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, physical examination, and appropriate imaging findings.
Frame suggested integrating community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral pathways into primary healthcare systems to reach women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU encouraged women to discuss their family history, potential genetic counseling, breast density, and previous symptoms or biopsy results with their healthcare providers. The university stressed that early detection must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings remain a significant obstacle across Africa.