Tackling the growing burden of breast cancer in Africa

Africa is experiencing a breast cancer crisis. The continent has the highest breast cancer mortality rates globally. Between 60%–70% of women in African countries are diagnosed at a late stage, and only one in two women diagnosed with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa will survive five years. Breast cancer five-year survival rates in high-income countries exceed 90%.

Early detection is hindered by lack of awareness of breast cancer, combined with limited access to early detection, diagnosis and treatment services. According to the 2018 Global Survey of Clinical Oncology Workforce, a single oncologist provides care for between 500 and 1,000 patients in many African countries. This is up to four times the International Atomic Energy Agency recommendation of 200 to 250 patients per oncologist.

In this time of great challenge  a group of leading women from across the African continent have come together to drive systemic change and a new future for African women’s breast cancer survival rates.

Launched during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2024, the Africa Breast Cancer Council brings together leading African women, including an esteemed economist, former minister, healthcare professionals, oncologists, and first ladies. United by their commitment to advancing breast cancer care in Africa, the Council’s mission is to tackle the growing burden of breast cancer among women in Africa and to advocate for systemic changes to increase survival rates.

The members of the Council are driven by a shared vision: a future where every African woman has access to timely, equitable and life-saving breast cancer care.

Supported by Roche, the pan-African Council works to develop and advocate for actionable, scalable changes that improve outcomes for women facing breast cancer. By connecting with and convening leaders, policymakers, and experts, the Council focuses on supporting the efforts of governments to make breast cancer a national health priority and works to support stakeholders’ collaboration and alignment.

Dr Magda Robalo, Council member and President and Co-founder of the Institute for Global Health and Development said: “Most African women with breast cancer are diagnosed too late and, even after a diagnosis, many do not receive the treatment they need. This egregious injustice is utterly preventable. In response, the Africa Breast Cancer Council will work to spotlight gaps, and shine a light on solutions which are already making an impact so that we can urgently get better, sustainable cancer care in Africa.“

Adding to this, Council member and President-elect of the Union For International Cancer Control H.E Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu noted: “As women’s health champions, we have come together to accelerate action on the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among African women. I talk to women all the time whose knowledge of risk factors and early symptoms is poor. On top of that, is fear. Fear of stigmatisation, along with women’s fear of being a financial burden, stop them from seeking treatment. As our work progresses, we will be highlighting critical gaps like these to speed up effective breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.”

When a woman loses her life to breast cancer, it creates a ripple effect impacting families and communities across generations. Compared to women globally, breast cancer strikes African women at a younger age – the majority are under 50. Many will have young children. It’s estimated that over 90,000 children in Africa became material orphans due to breast cancer in 2020 alone.

Then there is the economic impact.

Data specific to Africa is limited, but in Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Poland, the estimated total cost of breast cancer, including both direct and indirect expenses, falls between 0.1% and 0.2% of GDP. Most of this cost stems from premature deaths. Given the high prevalence of late-stage diagnoses at younger ages in Africa, it is estimated that the economic impact here could be even greater – in the range of 0.4% to 0.7% of GDP.