LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has emphasized the importance of implementing risk-based breast cancer screening across Africa after research revealed that 21.9% of women diagnosed with the disease in five sub-Saharan countries were under 40. The institution advocates for healthcare providers to consider individual risk factors alongside age when determining screening needs, warning that relying solely on age could hinder early detection, especially in underserved populations.
This appeal was made during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, underscoring the necessity of expanding access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialized care. According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer‘s GLOBOCAN 2024 report, published in 2026, Africa reported approximately 225,643 new cases of breast cancer and 100,070 deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosed among women on the continent and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among them.
Dr. Tonia Frame, Assistant Professor and Director of the Global Health Unit at SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, explained that risk factors vary widely among individuals. “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 noted. Frame encouraged women to familiarize themselves with their normal breast appearance and sensation and to seek prompt medical advice if they notice unexplained changes.
Genetic and family history influence screening protocols
According to Frame, breast cancer tends to develop at a younger age in Africa, with access to quality imaging often inconsistent. The university identified factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and prior high-risk lesions as key considerations for tailoring screening plans. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants may need to begin screening earlier than the general population, potentially from age 25, based on clinical guidance.
SGU also referenced a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2026, which revealed that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa had ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university linked screening disparities to differences in education, household income, health insurance coverage, and healthcare access. It called for improvements in diagnostic infrastructure, increased training for frontline health workers, and expanded availability of imaging and pathology services. Enhanced referral systems are also essential to ensure women with abnormal findings receive timely treatment.
Artificial intelligence as a tool where specialist resources are limited
The university highlighted that artificial intelligence could aid detection through patient triage, image analysis, workflow management, and risk assessment, especially in regions with limited specialist capacity. Nonetheless, it emphasized that AI tools require thorough validation, quality control, diagnostic confirmation, and ongoing monitoring across diverse populations. “AI output is not a diagnosis,” Frame stressed. She added that AI results must be interpreted in conjunction with a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, physical examination, and appropriate imaging.
Frame suggested that integrating community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral pathways into primary healthcare could help reach women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU urged women to discuss family history, genetic counseling options, breast density, and prior symptoms or biopsy results with their healthcare providers. The university also pointed out that early detection must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings continue to be a significant obstacle across Africa.