Hope Ajayi 
ABUJA, Nigeria – A study across five sub-Saharan African countries has found that 21.9 per cent of breast cancer patients were younger than 40, prompting calls for screening strategies that account for individual risk factors rather than age alone.
St George’s University (SGU) highlighted the findings on Wednesday, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, urging healthcare providers to strengthen risk assessment, breast examinations and access to timely diagnostic services.
The university cited estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2024, published in 2026, which indicated that Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 deaths in 2024. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women on the continent and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among them.
Assistant professor and director of the Global Health Unit at SGU’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Grenada, Dr Tonia Frame, said women of the same age could face different levels of risk. She identified family history of breast or ovarian cancer, inherited genetic variants, breast density and previous high-risk breast lesions as factors that could influence screening decisions.
Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants may require screening earlier than the general population, depending on clinical guidance and individual risk assessments. SGU also cited a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis indicating that only 13 per cent of women in sub-Saharan Africa had ever undergone a clinical breast examination.
The university linked low screening uptake to inequalities in education, household income, health insurance and access to healthcare. It called for improved diagnostic facilities, more training for frontline health workers and stronger referral systems to help women obtain timely assessments and treatment.
The findings highlight challenges facing health systems where women may struggle to access screening services or obtain a diagnosis promptly. However, screening recommendations should reflect individual risk, available clinical guidance and the resources of the healthcare system rather than assume that every woman requires the same approach.
Artificial intelligence could support detection
Frame said artificial intelligence could support breast cancer detection through patient assessment, medical image interpretation and referral prioritisation, particularly in areas with limited specialist services.
She stressed, however, that AI could not replace clinical diagnosis and must be supported by appropriate testing and professional assessment.
SGU urged women to seek medical evaluation for unexplained breast changes and discuss their family history and screening needs with healthcare professionals.
The university emphasised that early detection must be accompanied by timely diagnosis and access to treatment if it is to improve outcomes.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
