Accra:Sub-Saharan Africa is confronting significant challenges in accessing breast assessment and imaging services, compounded by a lack of specialist interpretation. A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in 2026 revealed that only 13% of women in the region have undergone a clinical breast examination. The uptake of such examinations varies significantly, influenced by factors such as education, household wealth, health insurance coverage, and healthcare service contact.
According to Ghana News Agency, researchers from St. George's University in Grenada, West Indies, have highlighted substantial gaps in the region's diagnostic capacity. The World Health Organization's Regional Office for Africa points to limited diagnostic infrastructure and a shortage of specialized healthcare personnel as contributing factors to late diagnosis and poor health outcomes.
The report emphasizes the urgent need to improve access to breast assessment, diagnostic imaging, pathology services, and trained specialists, particularly in underserved communities. Addressing these disparities requires more than awareness campaigns. Priorities include strengthening clinical breast examination and referral pathways, training frontline health workers, expanding diagnostic imaging and pathology access, ensuring timely follow-up after abnormal findings, and monitoring outcomes across different socioeconomic and geographic groups.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being evaluated for its potential to aid in breast cancer detection in areas with limited imaging capacity and specialist availability. AI could assist with triage, image interpretation, workflow prioritization, or risk estimation, depending on the technology and clinical context. Its effectiveness relies on proper validation, reliable referral pathways, diagnostic confirmation, quality assurance, and ongoing monitoring for performance disparities across population groups.
Dr. Tonia Frame from St. George's University suggests integrating community health workers, portable AI technology, and digital referral pathways within primary healthcare to reach women facing geographic, financial, or health-system barriers. She emphasizes that AI's role is part of a comprehensive pathway that includes awareness, initial assessment, referral, diagnostic confirmation, and treatment.
The report also highlights the importance of a personalized approach to breast cancer screening, which involves identifying individuals who might benefit from earlier or more frequent assessments and avoiding unnecessary procedures for those unlikely to benefit. Women are encouraged to engage in shared decision-making with their physicians to tailor their screening plans based on personal risk factors.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a platform to advocate for equitable care pathways, ensuring timely assessment, diagnostic confirmation, and treatment for women experiencing concerning symptoms or abnormal findings. St. George's University School of Medicine is committed to preparing future physicians to meet evolving healthcare needs, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to serve diverse patient populations.
Source Ghana News Agency