Africa Breast Cancer Council calls for coordinated policy

The Africa Breast Cancer Council has expressed worry over the increasing breast cancer cases across the African continent, saying it was rapidly becoming a major health crisis. 

“By strengthening collaboration between governments, healthcare institutions and the private sector, we could reshape the future of breast cancer care in Africa,” a co-chair of the Africa Breast Cancer Council and General Manager of Roche Products Ghana, Dr Kgothatso Motumi said.

In an interview with media personnel on breast cancer, she said the situation in sub-Saharan Africa was particularly dire, as cases of breast cancer surged by a staggering 247 per cent between 1990 and 2019.

She stressed the urgent need for early detection and improved treatment access for all women on the continent through a well-coordinated policy action by African governments.

Dr Motumi highlighted the growing burden of the disease and the critical steps needed to curb its impact on the African continent.

Dr Motumi, who is also the General Manager of Roche Products Ghana, revealed that breast cancer remained the most prevalent cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. 

WHO report

She cited a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which predicted that by 2045, the number of breast cancer cases in Africa could double to 400,000, making it an even more urgent public health challenge.

She observed that the biggest obstacle to improving survival rates in Africa was late diagnosis.

She explained that an overwhelming 77 per cent of women in the African region were diagnosed only at stage three or four, significantly reducing their chances of successful treatment.

She said while high-income countries boasted a five-year survival rate of 90 per cent, only half of African women diagnosed with breast cancer reached the same milestone.

“We need to act swiftly to ensure that women recognised the symptoms early and had access to timely and quality treatment,” Dr Motumi stressed.

Dr Motumi highlighted that several factors contribute to the rising breast cancer rates globally.

"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, she pointed out that 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 added.

She emphasised the need for comprehensive awareness campaigns and substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure to improve outcomes.

In response to the crisis, she explained that the Africa Breast Cancer Council was formed last year to advocate for policy-driven changes that enhanced breast cancer care.