By Michelle Ndaga
Health authorities across Africa are intensifying calls for early breast cancer screening during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, as low detection rates continue to drive high mortality across the continent.
In Ghana, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang launched a nationwide awareness campaign on October 1, 2025, urging community-based screening initiatives and public education to encourage early testing and reduce preventable deaths.
In Kenya, the Ministry of Health and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are leading outreach programs emphasizing self-examinations, clinical check-ups, and awareness drives targeting women in both urban and rural areas. Officials warn that many patients seek treatment only in advanced stages of the disease, reducing survival chances.
According to regional data from GLOBOCAN, Africa records more than 186,000 new breast cancer cases annually, with the figure projected to rise by 38% by 2050 if preventive measures are not scaled up. Experts attribute the low screening uptake to limited awareness, inadequate diagnostic infrastructure, and cultural stigma surrounding cancer.
Health organizations are calling for stronger public-private partnerships, improved access to screening services, and nationwide education programs to promote early detection and timely treatment, which remain the most effective tools in reducing breast cancer deaths.
