LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has called for the implementation of risk-based breast cancer screening protocols 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 warned that relying solely on age could hinder early detection efforts, especially within underserved populations.
Making the appeal during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SGU highlighted the critical need for expanded access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialized 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 cases of breast cancer and 100,070 related deaths in 2024. The disease remains 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 within SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, stated 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 become familiar with their usual breast appearance and sensation, and to seek medical assessment promptly if they notice unexplained changes.
Genetics and family history influence screening strategies
According to Frame, breast cancer tends to develop at a younger age in Africa, and access to high-quality imaging services remains inconsistent. The university identified several factors that could influence individual screening plans, including family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and previous high-risk breast lesions. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations may need to begin screening earlier than the general population, possibly from age 25, depending on clinical recommendations.
SGU also referenced a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2026 which discovered that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa had ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university linked disparities in screening to differences in education levels, household wealth, health insurance coverage, and access to healthcare services. It called for improvements in diagnostic infrastructure, enhanced 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 care.
Artificial intelligence may aid detection where specialists are limited
SGU highlighted that artificial intelligence could assist in detection by supporting patient triage, image analysis, workflow prioritization, and risk assessment, particularly in regions with limited specialist capacity. Nonetheless, it cautioned that AI tools must undergo rigorous 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 be interpreted alongside a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, physical examination findings, and appropriate imaging.
Frame also suggested that community health workers, portable AI devices, 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, potential genetic counseling, breast density, and previous symptoms or biopsy results with their healthcare providers. The university underlined that earlier detection must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings continue to pose significant challenges across Africa.