LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has advocated for implementing risk-based breast cancer screening methods throughout Africa after research revealed that 21.9% of women diagnosed with the disease in five sub-Saharan nations were under 40 years old. The university emphasized to healthcare providers the importance of considering individual risk factors alongside age when determining screening needs. It also cautioned that relying solely on age might hinder early detection efforts, especially in underserved regions.
This recommendation was made by SGU during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the critical need for increased access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialist services. Data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer‘s GLOBOCAN 2024 report, published in 2026, indicates that Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women on the continent and is their leading cause of cancer-related mortality.
Dr. Tonia Frame, Assistant Professor and Director of the Global Health Unit in SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, explained that risk factors differ significantly 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 noted. Frame encouraged women to familiarize themselves with the normal appearance and feel of their breasts and to seek prompt medical assessment if they notice unexplained changes.
Genetic and family history influence screening strategies
According to Frame, breast cancer tends to present at a younger age in Africa, 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 determinants that could influence personalized screening approaches. Women who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations might need to begin screening earlier than the average-risk population, potentially as early as age 25, depending on clinical guidelines.
SGU 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 gaps in screening coverage to disparities in education, household income, health insurance, and healthcare access. It called for improvements in diagnostic infrastructure, increased training for frontline health workers, and broader availability of imaging and pathology services. Additionally, stronger referral systems are essential to ensure women with abnormal findings receive timely treatment.
Artificial intelligence may aid detection where specialists are limited
The university highlighted that artificial intelligence could assist in detection through patient triage, image analysis, workflow management, and risk assessment, particularly in regions with limited specialist capacity. Nonetheless, it warned that AI tools require thorough 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, and relevant imaging.
Frame also suggested that community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral pathways could be integrated into primary healthcare settings to reach women facing geographic, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU urged women to discuss family history, consider genetic counseling, and review breast density and previous symptoms or biopsy results with their healthcare providers. The university underscored that early detection efforts must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings continue to pose a significant challenge across Africa.