LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has called for implementing risk-based breast cancer screening across Africa. This recommendation follows a study showing that 21.9% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in five sub-Saharan African countries 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 might hinder early detection, especially in underserved communities.
SGU issued this statement during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They highlighted 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 Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Africa and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths on the continent.
Dr. Tonia Frame, Assistant Professor and Director of the Global Health Unit at SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, explained that risk factors vary 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 said. She advised women to understand what their breasts normally look and feel like and to seek medical attention for any unexplained changes.
Family history and genetics influence screening approaches
Frame noted that in Africa, breast cancer often occurs at a younger age, and access to quality imaging is inconsistent. The university identified several factors that could influence personalized screening plans. These include family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and previous high-risk breast lesions. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants might need to start screening earlier, possibly from age 25, based on clinical guidance.
SGU also referenced a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2026. It revealed 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, and access to healthcare. It called for improvements in diagnostic infrastructure, more training for frontline health workers, and broader availability of imaging and pathology services. Strengthening referral systems is also critical to ensure women with abnormal results receive timely care.
Artificial intelligence can aid detection where specialists are limited
The university highlighted that artificial intelligence could assist in patient triage, interpreting images, prioritizing workflows, and estimating risk—especially in areas with few specialists. However, it warned that AI tools require rigorous validation, quality checks, diagnostic confirmation, and ongoing oversight across diverse populations. “AI output is not a diagnosis,” Frame stated. She emphasized that results must be interpreted alongside a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, physical examination, and relevant imaging.
Frame 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 their family history, genetic counseling options, breast density, and previous symptoms or biopsy results with healthcare providers. The university stressed that early detection must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment since delays in confirming abnormal findings remain a significant challenge across Africa.