LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – According to a recent study highlighted by St. George’s University, more than 21.9% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in five sub-Saharan African nations were under 40 years old. This statistic has led SGU to advocate for implementing screening strategies that are tailored to individual risk factors across the continent. The university emphasized that healthcare providers should evaluate both age and personal risk factors when determining screening protocols, warning that relying solely on age could hinder early diagnosis in underserved populations.
This appeal was part of SGU’s initiatives for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, during which the institution underscored the importance of increasing access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialized care. As per the 2026 estimates from GLOBOCAN 2024, published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Africa recorded roughly 225,643 new cases of breast cancer and 100,070 related deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis among African women and the leading cause of their cancer-related mortality.
Dr. Tonia Frame, who oversees the Global Health Unit within SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, stated that age alone should not be the sole criterion for assessing risk, explaining that “Breast cancer risk does not suddenly begin at a particular birthday,” and adding that two women of the same age might have significantly different risk profiles. She encouraged women to become familiar with how their breasts typically look and feel, urging them to seek medical attention promptly if any unexplained changes occur.
Screening disparities leave many women unexamined
A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2026, 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, household income, health insurance coverage, and access to healthcare. Frame pointed out that breast cancer in Africa often presents at a younger age, and that availability of high-quality imaging remains inconsistent across regions.
SGU highlighted that factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, genetic inheritance, breast density, and previous high-risk lesions influence screening strategies. Women carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations might need to start screening as early as age 25, depending on clinical guidelines. The university advised women to discuss these factors, along with genetic counseling and prior biopsy results, with their healthcare providers.
AI-driven support is essential for translating awareness into treatment
SGU also emphasized the potential role of artificial intelligence in triage, interpreting images, prioritizing workflows, and estimating risks, especially in regions with limited specialist availability. However, it cautioned that such tools must undergo validation, quality assurance, diagnostic verification, and continuous monitoring 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,” said Frame.
She added that community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral pathways could significantly improve primary healthcare outreach to women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU called for enhanced diagnostic infrastructure, increased training for frontline health workers, and more effective referral systems. It stressed that personalized screening protocols are vital to identify women requiring earlier assessment without subjecting others to unnecessary procedures. The university concluded that early detection efforts must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment.