Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Breast cancer has increasingly become a disease of high morbidity and mortality globally, and in the sub-Saharan African region in particular. Therefore, there is a need to review the current status of breast cancer in the region in the last decade. Though Africa has one of the lowest incidence rates, it has the highest mortality rate globally. There have been reported inter- and intra-country variations in breast cancer morbidity and mortality in the region, with East Africa having the largest incidence rate increase, while southern Africa experiences the lowest increase between 2008 and 2012. Histology remains the commonest modality of diagnosis in sub-Saharan Africa; with invasive ductal cancers being the commonest among patients. Novel genes have also been popular among certain populations, in the presence of the more popular BRACA genes. Adverse outcomes reported include physical and mental health outcomes, which have been linked to some health behaviours. There has been varying modalities of treatments across the region. Therefore, there is a need for better organized and improved screening/diagnostics service accessibility in resource-constrained settings in sub-Saharan Africa. There should also be increased awareness creation among African populations about the availability of treatment facilities and modalities in their communities.