LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – According to a study highlighted by St. George’s University, more than 21.9% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in five sub-Saharan African nations were under 40 years old. This statistic has led the university to advocate for screening strategies based on individual risk factors across the continent. SGU emphasized that healthcare providers should evaluate both age and personal risk factors when determining screening protocols, warning that relying solely on age could hinder early diagnosis in underserved populations.
This appeal was part of SGU’s initiatives for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The university highlighted the importance of expanding access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialist services. As per the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates published in 2026, Africa saw approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 related deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African women and the primary cause of cancer-related mortality in this demographic.
Dr. Tonia Frame, who oversees the Global Health Unit within SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, stated that age should not be the sole factor in assessing risk. She explained, “Breast cancer risk does not suddenly begin at a particular birthday,” and added that two women of the same age can have markedly different risk profiles. She urged women to become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts, advising prompt medical consultation for any unexplained changes.
Screening disparities leave many women without proper assessment
A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2026, cited by SGU, revealed 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 education levels, household income, health insurance coverage, and healthcare accessibility. Frame pointed out that breast cancer in Africa often presents at a younger age, while access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent.
Factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic mutations, breast density, and previous high-risk lesions are identified by SGU as important considerations for designing screening plans. Women carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants might need to begin screening earlier than the typical age, potentially from 25, depending on clinical advice. The university urged women to discuss these factors, genetic counseling options, and past biopsy results with their healthcare providers.
The path from awareness to effective treatment requires AI-powered support
SGU highlighted artificial intelligence as a valuable tool for triage, image interpretation, workflow management, and risk assessment, especially in regions with limited specialist availability. However, it cautioned that these AI tools must undergo validation, quality checks, diagnostic confirmation, and continuous monitoring across diverse populations. Frame emphasized, “The most important feature is not the algorithm alone, but the complete pathway linking awareness, initial assessment, referral, diagnostic confirmation and treatment.”
She also suggested that community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral systems could enhance primary healthcare access for women facing geographical, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU called for strengthening diagnostic infrastructure, increasing training for frontline health workers, and improving referral pathways. The university emphasized that personalized screening approaches should identify women who require earlier assessments without subjecting others to unnecessary procedures. It concluded that early detection improvements must be coupled with timely diagnosis and treatment.