LAGOS, Nigeria / AfricaWire.IO / – St. George’s University has recommended implementing risk-based breast cancer screening throughout Africa after research revealed that 21.9% of women diagnosed with the disease in five sub-Saharan countries were younger than 40. The university emphasized the importance of healthcare providers considering individual risk factors alongside age when determining screening needs. It cautioned that relying solely on age could hinder early detection, especially in underserved populations.
SGU issued this recommendation during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, stressing the necessity for broader access to breast examinations, diagnostic imaging, and specialized 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 continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in Africa and remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality 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, explained that risk levels 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. Frame encouraged women to become familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and to seek immediate medical evaluation if they notice unexplained changes.
Family history and genetic factors influence screening protocols
According to Frame, breast cancer often develops at a younger age in Africa, and access to high-quality imaging remains inconsistent. The university identified several factors that could influence personalized screening plans, including 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 than the general population, possibly from age 25, based on clinical guidance.
SGU also referenced a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2026, which found that only 13% of women in sub-Saharan Africa had 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 expanded access to imaging and pathology services. Additionally, strengthening referral systems is crucial to ensure women with abnormal findings receive prompt care.
Artificial intelligence has potential to aid detection in regions with limited specialists
The university highlighted that artificial intelligence could assist in patient triage, image analysis, workflow management, and risk assessment, especially in areas where specialist capacity is limited. Nevertheless, it warned that AI tools require thorough validation, quality assurance, diagnostic confirmation, and ongoing monitoring across diverse populations. “AI output is not a diagnosis,” Frame stated. She added that AI results should be interpreted alongside a patient’s clinical history, risk factors, physical examination findings, and appropriate imaging.
Frame suggested community health workers, portable AI devices, and digital referral pathways could be integrated into primary healthcare to reach women facing geographic, financial, and systemic barriers. SGU encouraged women to discuss family history, consider genetic counseling, and review breast density and previous symptoms or biopsy results with their healthcare providers. The university underscored that early detection must be complemented by timely diagnosis and treatment, as delays in confirming abnormal findings remain a significant obstacle across Africa.