LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has emphasized the importance of implementing risk-based breast cancer screening protocols across the African continent after research revealed that 21.9% of women diagnosed with the disease in five sub-Saharan nations were under 40 years old. The institution urged healthcare professionals to consider individual risk factors alongside age when determining screening eligibility. It cautioned that relying solely on age could hinder early detection efforts, especially in underserved regions.
This appeal was made during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, underscoring the critical need for broader access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialized care. According to estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer‘s GLOBOCAN 2024 report, published in 2026, Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 fatalities in 2024. The disease remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the region and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths 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, highlighted that individual risk factors vary. “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 encouraged women to familiarize themselves with their normal breast appearance and sensation, and to seek prompt medical evaluation if they notice unexplained changes.
Family history and genetics influence screening approaches
According to Frame, breast cancer in Africa often develops at a comparatively younger age, and access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent. The university identified factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and prior high-risk lesions as elements that could influence individualized screening strategies. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants may require earlier screening, potentially starting at age 25, depending on clinical guidelines.
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 gaps in screening coverage to disparities in education, household income, health insurance, and healthcare access. It called for improvements in diagnostic infrastructure, enhanced training for frontline health workers, and expanded availability of imaging and pathology services. Strengthening referral systems to ensure women with abnormal findings receive timely treatment was also emphasized.
Artificial intelligence may aid detection in areas with limited specialists
The university suggested that artificial intelligence could assist in patient triage, image analysis, workflow management, and risk assessment, particularly where specialist expertise is scarce. Nevertheless, it warned that AI tools require rigorous validation, quality control, diagnostic confirmation, and ongoing oversight across diverse populations. “AI output is not a diagnosis,” Frame stated. She added that AI results must be interpreted in conjunction with a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, physical examination, and appropriate imaging.
Frame proposed integrating community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral pathways into primary healthcare settings to reach women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU urged women to discuss family history, potential genetic counseling, breast density, and prior symptoms or biopsy outcomes 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 significant challenges across Africa.