LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – A study highlighted by St. George’s University revealed that over 21.9% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in five sub-Saharan African nations were under the age of 40. This statistic has led SGU to advocate for screening strategies based on individual risk factors across the continent. The university emphasized that healthcare providers should evaluate both age and personal risk factors when recommending screening, warning that relying solely on age might hinder early detection efforts in underserved areas.
This appeal was part of SGU’s initiatives during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The institution underscored the urgency of expanding access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialized care. According to estimates from GLOBOCAN 2024, published in 2026 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Africa experienced approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis among African women and the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in this group.
Dr. Tonia Frame, director of the Global Health Unit within SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, pointed out that age alone should not determine risk level. “Breast cancer risk does not suddenly begin at a particular birthday,” she explained, noting that two women of the same age can have significantly different risk profiles. She advised women to become familiar with their breasts’ normal appearance and feel, and to seek prompt medical attention for any unexplained changes.
Limited screening access leaves many women unexamined
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis cited by SGU found that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa had ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university attributed this gap partly to disparities in educational levels, household income, health insurance coverage, and healthcare accessibility. Frame highlighted that breast cancer in Africa often occurs at younger ages, while access to high-quality imaging services remains inconsistent.
Factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and prior high-risk lesions influence screening strategies. Women carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants may need to begin screening as early as age 25, depending on clinical guidelines. SGU urged women to discuss these factors, genetic counseling options, and previous biopsy results with their healthcare providers.
Artificial intelligence can enhance the pathway from awareness to treatment
The university also highlighted AI as a valuable tool for triage, interpreting imaging, prioritizing workflows, and estimating risks in regions with limited specialist availability. It warned that such technologies require validation, quality checks, diagnostic confirmation, and continuous monitoring across diverse populations. “The most important feature is not the algorithm alone, but the complete pathway linking awareness, initial assessment, referral, diagnostic confirmation, and treatment,” Frame explained.
She suggested community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral systems could help primary healthcare reach women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU called for improved diagnostic infrastructure, increased training for frontline health workers, and more effective referral mechanisms. The university emphasized that personalized screening approaches should identify women needing earlier assessment without subjecting others to unnecessary tests, and that early detection efforts should be paired with timely diagnosis and treatment.