Africa Breast Cancer Council urges coordinated policy action to tackle rising breast cancer cases

The Africa Breast Cancer Council has raised concerns over the alarming rise in breast cancer cases across the continent, warning that the disease is becoming a major health crisis in Africa.

Co-chair of the Africa Breast Cancer Council and General Manager of Roche Products Ghana, Dr. Kgothatso Motumi, revealed that cases in sub-Saharan Africa had surged by 247 per cent between 1990 and 2019, describing the situation as particularly dire.

She stressed the urgent need for early detection and improved access to treatment, calling for coordinated policy actions by African governments to curb the growing threat.

Late diagnosis a major concern

Dr. Motumi, who is also the General Manager of Roche Products Ghana, pointed out that breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer globally and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

Citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report, she warned that by 2045, breast cancer cases in Africa could double to 400,000, making it an even more urgent public health challenge.

One of the biggest obstacles to improving survival rates in Africa, she noted, was late diagnosis. She explained that 77 per cent of women in Africa are diagnosed only at stage 3 or 4, significantly reducing their chances of successful treatment.

While high-income countries boast a five-year survival rate of 90%, only 50% of African women diagnosed with breast cancer reach the same milestone.

“We need to act swiftly to ensure that women recognise the symptoms early and have access to timely and quality treatment,” Dr. Motumi urged.

Risk factors and the need for awareness

Dr. Motumi outlined several factors contributing to the rising breast cancer rates worldwide.

"According to the WHO, risk factors include age, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, family history of breast cancer, history of radiation exposure, reproductive history, and tobacco use. Notably, approximately half of breast cancer cases develop in women with no identifiable risk factors other than being female and over the age of 40," she explained.

She called for comprehensive awareness campaigns and significant investment in healthcare infrastructure to improve detection and treatment outcomes.

Africa Breast Cancer Council’s strategic interventions

To address the crisis, Dr. Motumi highlighted the formation of the Africa Breast Cancer Council in 2024, which advocates for policy-driven changes to enhance breast cancer care.

The council aligns with the WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, which seeks to increase early-stage detection from 30 per cent to 60 per cent and reduce the time from symptom recognition to treatment from 183 days to 60 days.

Dr. Motumi also referenced the recent Africa Breast Cancer Council conference held in Kigali, where key health leaders across the continent exchanged insights on best practices. She cited Egypt’s groundbreaking programme, which screened 34 million women in four years, significantly reducing late-stage diagnoses.

While optimistic about progress, Dr. Motumi insisted that coordinated policy action remains critical for lasting change.

“By strengthening collaboration between governments, healthcare institutions, and the private sector, we can reshape the future of breast cancer care in Africa,” she noted.

With the council prioritising key countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, the goal is to create a model that can inspire action across the continent.

“The fight against breast cancer remains a formidable challenge, but with sustained commitment, Africa can turn the tide against this growing health threat,” she stressed.

Africa Breast Cancer Council: A call to action

Launched in October 2024 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Africa Breast Cancer Council brings together leading African women, including economists, healthcare professionals, oncologists, first ladies, and former ministers.

United by their commitment to improving breast cancer care, the Council’s mission is to tackle the growing burden of breast cancer in Africa and advocate for systemic changes to increase survival rates.