Why investing in health matters for breast cancer patients
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“I am a two-time breast cancer survivor. If I could do it, you can do it,” says Denise, one of almost 200,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Africa. She shared her experience to help other women take their first steps when the disease appears: “When I got my breast cancer diagnosis, I was shocked. I was in denial. My family was devastated. They were very scared for me. They convinced me they got me, that they were going to walk this journey with me - and they did.” Today, Denise, once stigmatised as ‘the woman with breast cancer’, supports other women so they do not give up.
On World Cancer Day, we are reminded that while every cancer journey is unique, our goal is shared: ensuring that a person’s location never determines their chance of survival. And this is not easy. In parts of Africa, breast cancer survival rates can be as low as 50%1, a stark contrast to the 90% seen in high-income countries2. This gap is not just a statistic; it represents mothers, sisters, and friends whose stories deserve a different ending.
Our aim is to help bridge this gap by strengthening early detection, diagnosis and treatment through sustainable partnerships at each stage of the patient journey. At Roche, we believe that cancer care must be people-centred. Through the African Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA), we are collaborating with local partners to treat the individual, not just the disease, by removing the barriers that prevent patients from accessing the care they need.
Driven by local action and global partnership
We are proud to stand with the oncology community to drive meaningful change across the continent:
Côte d’Ivoire: Raising awareness for over 300,000 women to drive earlier screening.
Kenya: Creating integrated care pathways—combining physical hubs and digital referrals—to bring quality screening to 235,000 women in rural areas through EMPOWER clinics.
Ghana: Supporting the first medical oncology residency faculty to build a sustainable pipeline of local specialists.
Nigeria: Partnering with the National Health Insurance Authority to help an estimated 1,000 women with HER2-positive breast cancer access innovative care each year.
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Health investments driving real societal impact
Consider HER2+ breast cancer, which globally accounts for 15% to 20% of all breast cancer cases, across 7 countries in our region: Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tunisia. Early diagnosis and treatment of this disease alone could yield up to $12.4 in economic return per dollar invested, keeping women in their most productive years in the workforce and sustaining household stability.3
A study found that, between 2017 and 2023, HER2+ breast cancer caused $10.3 billion in productivity losses, striking women in their prime working years and weakening the continent’s economic engine. Over the same period, timely access to innovative HER2-targeted therapies generated $17.2 million in economic gains.3
This burden–impact juxtaposition is clear: without investment in timely treatment, the cost of inaction will continue to rise, while expanding access strengthens national productivity and long-term economic growth.
Our commitment to the future
Despite significant scientific strides, the global impact of cancer is projected to worsen. Now more than ever, we must prioritise healthcare and push the boundaries of innovation to make breakthrough science accessible to everyone, everywhere.
By collaborating across more than 100 countries every day, we ensure that every unique experience inspires smarter science and more effective treatments.
Your story will change minds. When we share our experiences and work together, we can transform the future of cancer care.
Let’s unite to change the story of cancer.
References
1. IARC, Breast Cancer Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa Breast Cancer Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. IARC Evidence Summary Briefs No 1
2. World Health Organization. (2023). Global breast cancer initiative implementation framework: assessing, strengthening and scaling up of services for the early detection and management of breast cancer. World Health Organization. Global breast cancer initiative implementation framework: assessing, strengthening and scaling up of services for the early detection and management of breast cancer
3. Atitallah A, Ostwald DA, Grün R, Herrlitz M, Levi E, Lovera D, et al. WifOR. 2025. Socioeconomic Burden of HER2+ breast cancer and Annual Social Impact of Roche’s Treatments for the Disease in Africa. Available from:https://www.wifor.com/en/download/the-value-of-investing-in-innovative-medicines-socioeconomic-burden-of-her2-breast-cancer-and-annual-social-impact-of-roches-treatments-for-the-disease-in-africa/, accessed 19 November 2025.