LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has issued an appeal 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 countries were under 40 years old. The institution emphasized the importance for healthcare providers to consider individual risk factors in addition to age when determining screening needs. It cautioned that relying solely on age could hinder early detection, especially in underserved regions.
The university made this appeal during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, stressing the necessity of expanding access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialist care. 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 deaths in 2024. Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women on the continent and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among them.
In Grenada, Dr. Tonia Frame, Assistant Professor and Director of the Global Health Unit within SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, explained 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 stated. Frame urged women to become familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel, and to seek prompt medical evaluation if they notice unexplained changes.
Genetics and family history influence screening strategies
According to Frame, in Africa, breast cancer tends to present at a younger age, and access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent. The university identified factors such as a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and previous high-risk breast lesions that could inform personalized screening plans. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants might require earlier screening, potentially starting at age 25, depending on clinical guidance.
SGU also referenced a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2026 indicating that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa have ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The university linked gaps in screening to disparities in education, household income, health insurance coverage, and access to healthcare services. It called for improved diagnostic infrastructure, increased 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.
AI technology may aid detection where specialists are limited
The university highlighted that artificial intelligence could assist in detection efforts through patient triage, image analysis, workflow prioritization, and risk assessment, especially in areas with limited specialist capacity. Nonetheless, it warned that AI tools must undergo proper validation, quality control, 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 relevant imaging.
Frame suggested that community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral systems could be integrated into primary healthcare to reach women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU encouraged women to discuss family history, genetic counseling options, breast density, and previous symptoms or biopsy results with their healthcare providers. The university underscored that early detection must be paired with timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings continue to pose a significant challenge across Africa.