Improved access to early diagnosis, breast cancer risk assessment and diagnostic services could help address persistent inequalities in cancer care across the continent
By Africa Science News
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Africa and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen early detection, diagnostic services and timely treatment.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN estimates published in 2026, Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 deaths in 2024. The figures underscore the importance of raising awareness of breast cancer symptoms and ensuring women can access appropriate medical assessment and treatment.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. George’s University (SGU) is advocating for a more equitable, risk-informed approach to breast cancer screening, taking into account individual risk factors, differences in healthcare access and the availability of diagnostic services.
A 2025 study involving women diagnosed with breast cancer across five sub-Saharan African countries found that 21.9 per cent of participants were diagnosed before the age of 40. The findings highlight the importance of breast awareness, prompt evaluation of concerning symptoms and individual risk assessment, particularly for women who may face elevated risk at younger ages.
Dr Tonia Frame, Assistant Professor and Director of the Global Health Unit in the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at St. George’s University in Grenada, said breast cancer risk varies between individuals and should not be assessed on age alone.
“Two women of the same age may have very different risk profiles,” Frame said. She encouraged women to become familiar with the normal appearance and feel of their breasts and to seek prompt clinical evaluation when they notice unexplained changes.
She added that family history, inherited genetic susceptibility and previous breast abnormalities can help healthcare professionals determine whether a woman may benefit from earlier assessment, specialist referral or additional imaging.
The World Health Organization recommends early diagnosis and timely evaluation of women with symptoms suggestive of breast cancer. Decisions about screening should also consider individual risk, available resources and the capacity of health systems to provide appropriate follow-up.
Individual risk factors can inform screening decisions
A risk-informed approach seeks to identify women who may benefit from earlier or more intensive assessment while avoiding unnecessary tests and procedures among those unlikely to benefit.
Family history is an important consideration. Breast or ovarian cancer among close relatives, particularly at younger ages, multiple affected relatives or male breast cancer may indicate inherited susceptibility and warrant further assessment.
Genetic factors also matter. Women with inherited variants such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 may require earlier and more intensive screening under specialist guidance.
Breast density can make some cancers harder to detect through mammography and is independently associated with increased breast cancer risk. Additional imaging may be appropriate for selected women, depending on their overall risk and clinical circumstances.
Previous breast abnormalities may also influence follow-up. Certain high-risk lesions, atypical biopsy findings or suspicious imaging results may require an individualised care plan.
Healthcare professionals should assess these factors alongside a woman’s age, medical history, symptoms and available diagnostic services. Screening recommendations developed for average-risk populations may not be appropriate for every individual.
Unequal access to breast cancer services remains a major challenge
Despite growing awareness, access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, pathology and specialist interpretation remains uneven across sub-Saharan Africa.
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis reported that only 13 per cent of women included in the reviewed evidence had ever undergone a clinical breast examination. Uptake varied according to factors including education, household wealth, health insurance coverage and contact with healthcare services.
The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa has also identified gaps in diagnostic infrastructure and shortages of specialised healthcare personnel as important challenges affecting breast cancer control.
These constraints can delay the identification and confirmation of cancer, limiting opportunities for timely treatment.
Addressing the problem requires more than awareness campaigns. Health systems need to strengthen clinical breast examinations and referral systems, train frontline healthcare workers, expand access to imaging and pathology services, and ensure women receive timely follow-up after abnormal findings.
Health systems must also monitor whether services are reaching rural populations, low-income households and other underserved groups.
Artificial intelligence could support early detection
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a potential tool for supporting breast cancer detection, particularly in settings where specialist expertise and imaging capacity are limited.
Depending on the technology and clinical setting, AI systems may assist with medical image interpretation, triage, workflow prioritisation and risk estimation. However, their effectiveness depends on appropriate clinical validation, quality assurance and reliable pathways for diagnostic confirmation and treatment.
Frame said integrating community health workers, portable AI technology and digital referral systems into primary healthcare could potentially help reach women facing geographical, financial or health-system barriers.
“The most important feature is not the algorithm alone, but the complete pathway linking awareness, initial assessment, referral, diagnostic confirmation and treatment,” she said.
She cautioned that AI-generated results should not be treated as a diagnosis. They must be interpreted alongside a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, examination findings and appropriate diagnostic imaging.
For African health systems, this means that investment in digital technologies should complement rather than replace trained healthcare professionals, diagnostic infrastructure and accessible treatment services.
Helping women make informed screening decisions
A personalised approach to breast cancer screening does not necessarily mean that every woman needs more tests. Instead, it seeks to match the timing and type of assessment to a woman’s risk profile and clinical needs.
Women are encouraged to discuss with their healthcare providers when screening should begin based on their age and personal risk factors, whether their family history warrants formal risk assessment or genetic counselling, and how breast density may affect their risk and the interpretation of mammograms.
They should also seek guidance on whether previous breast symptoms, imaging findings or biopsy results require changes to their follow-up plan. Understanding which screening and diagnostic services are available locally, as well as what happens after an abnormal result, is equally important.
Women who notice a new lump, unexplained nipple changes, skin changes or other concerning breast symptoms should seek medical assessment promptly rather than waiting for a routine screening appointment.
Strengthening Africa’s breast cancer response
Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to reinforce the importance of equitable cancer care, from public awareness and risk assessment to diagnosis and treatment.
For African countries, a central priority is to ensure that women with concerning symptoms or abnormal findings can access appropriate assessment, diagnostic confirmation and treatment without avoidable delays.
St. George’s University says preparing future physicians for changing healthcare needs remains central to its medical and public health education. Its School of Medicine provides an international learning environment and clinical exposure intended to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to care for diverse patient populations.