LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has emphasized the importance of implementing risk-based breast cancer screening across the continent following a study revealing that 21.9% of women diagnosed with the disease in five sub-Saharan African nations were under 40 years old. The university recommends that healthcare providers consider individual risk factors alongside age when determining screening needs. It cautions that relying solely on age could hinder early detection efforts, especially within underserved populations.
This appeal was made during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, underscoring the necessity for broader availability of breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialized care. Data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2024 report, published in 2026, indicates that Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new cases of breast cancer and 100,070 related deaths in 2024. Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women on the continent and the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities 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, highlighted 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 their normal breast appearance and sensation, and to seek prompt medical evaluation if they notice unexplained changes.
Family history and genetic factors influence screening protocols
According to Frame, breast cancer in Africa often appears at a younger age compared to other regions, and access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent. The university identified key factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and previous high-risk breast lesions that could inform personalized screening strategies. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants might need to begin screening earlier than the general population, possibly from age 25, based on clinical recommendations.
SGU also referenced a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2026, which found that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa had ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university linked gaps in screening to disparities in education, household income, health insurance access, and healthcare availability. It called for improvements in diagnostic infrastructure, increased training of frontline health workers, and expanded access to imaging and pathology services. Additionally, stronger referral systems are necessary to ensure women with abnormal findings receive timely treatment.
Artificial intelligence may aid detection in areas with few specialists
The university suggested that AI technology could assist in patient triage, image analysis, workflow management, and risk assessment, especially in regions with limited specialist capacity. Nonetheless, it warned that AI tools require rigorous validation, quality control, diagnostic confirmation, and ongoing monitoring across diverse populations. “AI output is not a diagnosis,” Frame emphasized. She added that AI results should always be interpreted in conjunction with a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, physical examination findings, and appropriate imaging.
Frame also mentioned that community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral systems could be integrated into primary healthcare services to reach women facing geographic, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU encouraged women to discuss family history, consider genetic counseling, and evaluate breast density or previous symptoms and biopsy results with their healthcare providers. The university stressed that early detection must be coupled with timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings continue to pose significant challenges across Africa.