Sub-Saharan Africa breast cancer screening rates remain low

A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by researchers from St. George’s University reveals that only 13% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa have ever undergone a clinical breast examination. The study indicates that access to these essential diagnostic services is heavily influenced by socioeconomic factors, including education levels, household wealth, and health insurance status, rather than medical necessity alone.

Data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2024 shows that Africa recorded approximately 225,643 new breast cancer cases and 100,070 deaths in 2024. Researchers noted that breast cancer in the region often affects younger populations, with 21.9% of women diagnosed in five studied sub-Saharan countries being under the age of 40.

St. George’s University has called for a shift toward risk-based screening rather than age-only approaches. Experts suggest that healthcare providers should consider individual risk factors—such as family history, genetics (including BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants), and breast density—to improve early detection in underserved communities where diagnostic infrastructure and specialized personnel are limited.