The recent WHO and IARC projections on breast cancer are alarming but not surprising—they reinforce what we, advocates, have been witnessing firsthand.

A projected 38 per cent increase in global breast cancer cases and a 68 per cent rise in mortality by 2050 is an urgent call to action, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Rwanda and others in Africa, where the impact will be most devastating.

The inequity in breast cancer survival is unacceptable

The report highlights that 41 per cent of breast cancer deaths in Africa occur in individuals under 50, compared to just 8 per cent in Europe. This stark contrast is a direct consequence of late-stage diagnosis, limited access to treatment, and lack of awareness.

In high-income countries, 17 out of 100 diagnosed women die from breast cancer. In lower-income countries, more than half do. This is not just a health crisis but a moral failure.

The lack of reliable data in LMICs means we may be underestimating the burden. If we cannot measure it, we cannot manage it.

Early detection is the lifeline, we must localize solutions

As a 30-year breast cancer survivor, I know firsthand that early detection saved my life. The WHO’s 2.5 per cent annual mortality reduction goal is achievable, but only if awareness and screening are scaled up dramatically.

Mammograms are often out of reach in many African countries due to cost and infrastructure gaps. The report mentions clinical breast exams (CBEs) in Kenya as a cost-effective alternative. This reinforces the IKUNDE, IMENYE, ISUZUMISHE (Love Yourself, Know Yourself, Get Checked) campaign that Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA) has been implementing in Rwanda, bringing free CBEs to workplaces, communities, and rural areas.

Investing in educational campaigns and survivor-led awareness efforts has proven effective. Reports like these need to shift from statistics to real-life strategies, empowering local communities to act now.

Economic and policy commitment, a call to action

Breast cancer control is not just a health issue, it’s an economic one. Governments and corporate entities must prioritize women’s health as a national development agenda.

The fact that only 13 out of 46 studied countries are on track to meet WHO’s goal means that we need greater accountability and stronger health policies.

Private sector partnerships are critical. In Rwanda, BCIEA has successfully engaged corporate partners and businesses to integrate awareness and screenings into the workplace, proving that early detection is not just a public health issue, but a workforce productivity issue.

We need answers now

One of the most concerning findings is the rising rates of breast cancer in young people. We cannot afford to wait for more research to tell us what we already see happening.

Prevention strategies must start early and this includes nutrition education, reducing known risk factors like alcohol intake and inactivity, and empowering youth with knowledge. Investing in low-cost interventions like community-based screenings has already shown significant success in reducing late-stage diagnoses.

Breast cancer fight needs political will, not just reports

The WHO report rightly states that without political will, breast cancer deaths will continue to rise. As an advocate who has spent years working at the grassroots level, I can say with certainty that we cannot afford to wait for global solutions to trickle down to us. We must act locally and now.

BCIEA is leading the way in Rwanda, but we need more funding for early detection programs and survivor support initiatives; government commitments to integrate breast cancer into universal health coverage; and a regional approach to research, education, and policy change across Africa.

We are more than just numbers

As one of the report’s authors said, "Behind every statistic is a real person.” I was once a statistic, but today, I am a survivor, an advocate, and a fighter for change.

If 3.2 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by 2050, then we have 3.2 million reasons to act today.

Let this report be a wake-up call, not a death sentence. The time for action is now. Together, we can change the future of breast cancer in Africa.

The writer is a breast cancer survivor and founder of Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA).