According to a recent research from the Global Burden of Disease Study, African nations are experiencing some of the fastest-growing rates of breast cancer worldwide, with Equatorial Guinea leading the list with a 312% increase in new cases since 1990.
The study, which was published on Monday in The Lancet, used information from vital registration systems, population-based cancer registries, and interviews with relatives or carers of women who lost their lives to breast cancer.
Additionally, it offers up-to-date national, regional, and worldwide estimates of the incidence of female breast cancer and related risk factors for 204 nations and territories between 1990 and 2023, with projections going all the way to 2050.
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African countries record sharp increases
Equatorial Guinea had the second-highest increase in mortality (212%) and the greatest increase in new cases (312%) between 1990 and 2023.
Ethiopia (207%), Egypt (189%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (160%), and Mauritania (141%) are among African nations with notable increases in new cases.
Additionally, the survey noted increases in Liberia (129%), Mali (133%), and Uganda (135%).
Nigeria’s growing burden
The study found a significant increase in both incidence and death in Nigeria.
Nigeria reported 53,500 new instances of breast cancer in 2023, a 542.9 percent increase since 1990.
The age-standardized incidence rate increased by 108.8% from 1990 to 72.1 per 100,000 people.
Nigeria saw 26,200 deaths from breast cancer in 2023, a 408.3% rise from 1990. The age-standardized death rate increased by 73.5% during that time, to 38.7 per 100,000.
These numbers support previous Premium Times research that predicted a 38% increase in breast cancer incidence worldwide by 2050, with a disproportionate effect on low- and middle-income nations, such as Nigeria.
They also support earlier research showing that increased cancer fatalities among Nigerian women are caused by policy failures rather than only medical constraints, especially because of delayed diagnosis, inadequate health systems, and high out-of-pocket expenses.
Global projections to 2050
Breast cancer continues to be the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide.
73% of the predicted 2.3 million new cases that were identified in 2023 were in high- and upper-middle-income nations.
According to the report, the number of deaths from breast cancer worldwide would rise by 44%, from 764,000 in 2023 to around 1.4 million in 2050, with the majority of these deaths taking place in low- and lower-middle-income nations.
Additionally, it projected that the number of new cases globally will increase by around one-third, from 2.3 million in 2023 to over 3.5 million in 2050.
Researchers said these differences may reflect shifting age patterns as well as changes in risk factors that vary between pre- and post-menopausal women.
Modifiable risk factors
The study found that six modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, high blood sugar, and obesity, account for 28% of the global burden of breast cancer.
The biggest effect was caused by high red meat consumption, which was responsible for over 11% of all lost years of healthy life. Low physical exercise and heavy alcohol consumption each contributed roughly 2%.
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According to the findings, leading a healthy lifestyle that includes abstaining from smoking, getting enough exercise, consuming less red meat, and keeping a healthy weight could greatly lower risk.
Lisa Force, the study’s principal author, stressed the necessity of concerted international action.
Ms Force called for collaborative efforts to ensure functional health systems capable of early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment in all countries.
She also stressed the importance of reducing the cost of breast cancer therapies and ensuring that universal health coverage includes essential breast cancer services to protect patients from catastrophic health expenses and improve outcomes.
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