LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has called for implementing risk-based breast cancer screening strategies across 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 university emphasized the importance for healthcare providers to consider individual risk factors alongside age when determining screening needs. It cautioned that relying solely on age could hinder early detection, especially in underserved populations.
This recommendation was made during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, underscoring the necessity for broader access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialist care. According to estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2024 data, published in 2026, 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 the leading cause of cancer-related mortality 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 varies 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 stated. Frame urged women to familiarize themselves with the normal appearance and feel of their breasts and to seek prompt medical assessment if they notice unexplained changes.
Screening strategies should consider family history and genetic factors
According to Frame, breast cancer in Africa tends to present at a comparatively younger age, and access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent. The university identified family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic predispositions, breast density, and previous high-risk breast lesions as factors influencing personalized screening plans. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations may require earlier screening, potentially starting at age 25, depending on clinical guidance.
SGU also referenced a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis indicating that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa have ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university linked disparities in screening to differences in education, household income, health insurance coverage, and access to care. It called for enhanced diagnostic infrastructure, increased training for frontline health workers, and broader availability of imaging and pathology services. Strengthening referral systems is also critical to ensure women with abnormal findings receive timely treatment.
The role of AI in supporting detection where specialists are limited
The university highlighted that artificial intelligence could assist in detection by triaging patients, interpreting images, prioritizing workflows, and estimating risk, especially in regions with limited specialist capacity. Nevertheless, it warned that AI tools must undergo proper validation, quality assurance, 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 alongside a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, examination findings, and relevant imaging.
Frame suggested that community health workers, portable AI technology, and digital referral pathways could be integrated into primary healthcare to reach women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU encouraged women to discuss family history, possible genetic counseling, breast density, and previous symptoms or biopsy results with their healthcare providers. The university stressed that early detection must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings continue to pose a major challenge across Africa.