LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has advocated for implementing risk-based breast cancer screening strategies throughout Africa 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 institution emphasized the importance for healthcare providers to consider individual risk factors in conjunction with age when determining screening needs. It cautioned that relying solely on age could hinder early detection efforts, especially in underserved communities.
This appeal was made during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, underscoring the necessity for expanded access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialized treatment. 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 related deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women on the continent and the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities among women there.
Dr. Tonia Frame, Assistant Professor and Director of the Global Health Unit within SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, explained that risk factors vary significantly 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 stated. Frame urged women to familiarize themselves with their normal breast appearance and sensation, and to seek prompt medical evaluation for any unexplained changes.
Genetic and familial factors influence screening strategies
According to Frame, breast cancer often manifests at a younger age in Africa, and access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent. The university identified several factors that could influence personalized screening plans, including family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and prior high-risk breast lesions. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants might need to begin screening earlier than the general population, potentially as early as age 25, depending on clinical guidelines.
SGU highlighted a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis revealing that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa have ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university linked disparities in screening access to differences in education levels, household income, health insurance coverage, and availability of healthcare services. It called for improvements in diagnostic infrastructure, increased training for frontline health workers, and broader access to imaging and pathology services. The establishment of robust referral systems is also essential to ensure women with abnormal findings receive timely care.
Artificial intelligence as a supportive tool in resource-limited settings
The university suggested that artificial intelligence could assist in breast cancer detection through patient triage, image analysis, workflow management, and risk assessment, especially where specialist expertise is limited. Nevertheless, it warned that AI tools require thorough validation, quality control, diagnostic confirmation, and ongoing oversight across diverse populations. “AI output is not a diagnosis,” Frame emphasized. She added that AI results must be interpreted in conjunction with a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, physical examination, and relevant imaging.
Frame proposed that community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral pathways could be integrated into primary healthcare systems to reach women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU encouraged women to discuss their family history, consider genetic counseling, and report previous symptoms or biopsy results to their healthcare providers. The university stressed that early detection must be accompanied by timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings remain a significant challenge across Africa.