Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer among African women — and one of the deadliest. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, more than 129,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in Africa, and approximately 85,000 died from the disease (WHO, 2021). While in developed countries survival rates exceed 90% in early stages, in many African nations less than half of women diagnosed survive five years after diagnosis. This disparity results from late detection, limited access to healthcare, and structural challenges. However, a new generation of technological solutions is transforming this scenario — offering hope for earlier detection, more effective treatments, and more dignified recovery.
In many African communities, knowledge about breast cancer remains limited, and stigma continues to prevent women from seeking help. Platforms such as Phylaxis.ai®, launched in 2023 and recognized in South Africa and India, provide personalized digital assessments that identify individual risks and knowledge gaps. These tools educate about risk factors and symptoms, recommend optimal screening frequency based on personal profiles, and encourage healthy behaviors through rewards and gamification (Phylaxis.ai, 2024). Community health workers, radio campaigns, and mobile apps are also essential for reaching rural populations and overcoming literacy barriers (Jedy-Agba et al., 2020).
Early diagnosis is vital — but centralized services and long distances make access difficult. New technologies are overcoming these barriers. The iBreastExam, developed by UE LifeSciences and distributed by Molbio Diagnostics, is a portable, radiation-free device that detects breast lumps within minutes. It has been implemented in several African countries since 2022, showing promising results in rural areas (UE LifeSciences, 2023). In Uganda, partnerships between Johns Hopkins University and Makerere University have produced AI-based slide scanners that digitize cytological samples. These are then sent remotely to pathologists, reducing diagnostic time from months to days (Ekyaalo Diagnostics, 2024).
Recognizing symptoms such as lumps, skin changes, or nipple discharge allows women to seek help before the disease progresses. Combating myths and stigma reduces fear and increases healthcare engagement. Community education boosts screening uptake and reduces late-stage diagnoses (WHO Africa, 2022). In Kenya, campaigns using mobile units and radio increased screening rates by more than 40% in targeted regions (Kenya Ministry of Health, 2023). Stage I breast cancer has a survival rate above 90%, while in advanced stages this rate drops below 50% (Globocan, 2020). Organized screening programs ensure systematic follow-up and prevent missed cases. In Rwanda, including breast examinations in maternal health visits tripled early-stage diagnoses (Rwanda Biomedical Centre, 2023). Early treatment is significantly more cost-effective than advanced cancer therapy, which requires surgery, chemotherapy, and prolonged hospitalization. Fewer complications ease the burden on public hospitals and reduce lost workdays. Digital tools help governments allocate resources efficiently (Lancet Oncology Commission, 2021).
Access to treatment in Africa is limited by a shortage of oncologists and specialized centers. The African Breast Cancer Council, launched in 2024, is promoting structural reforms: supporting governments in prioritizing breast cancer within national health agendas, advancing training programs to increase the number of specialized professionals, and encouraging public-private partnerships to improve infrastructure (African Breast Cancer Council, 2024). Mobile health platforms and telemedicine are enabling consultations and follow-ups without the need for travel (GSMA Mobile for Development, 2023).
Recovery involves physical, emotional, and social rehabilitation. Technology plays an increasing role: apps and wearable devices track progress and flag complications, digital communities offer emotional support — particularly where psychologists are scarce — and platforms like Phylaxis.ai® generate insights for targeted interventions and better resource management (Phylaxis.ai, 2024).
To improve breast cancer outcomes across Africa, countries must invest in national cancer control plans with clear funding and governance, expand organized screening programs, ensure equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, and leverage technology and data to guide policies and enhance outcomes. Technology alone is not a magic solution — but combined with strong policies, community engagement, and health system strengthening, it becomes a powerful catalyst for change.
As a Pan-African leader in medical devices and diagnostic solutions, with a special focus on Angola, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire, Yapama is actively working to bring these innovations to the African continent in partnership with major global brands such as Abbott, Philips, Hologic, and Medtronic. Our commitment is not only to make innovative technologies available but also to adapt them to African realities, train professionals, support health systems, and reduce inequities in access. We aim to work closely not only in large cities but also in communities where healthcare access remains a challenge.
Imaging solutions from Hologic and Philips, represented and distributed by Yapama, include state-of-the-art technologies such as MRI, CT, digital X-ray, fluoroscopy, angiography, and ultrasound. These tools are crucial for early detection and accurate diagnosis of breast lesions, enabling more effective clinical interventions with higher success rates. Beyond hardware, Philips provides integrated platforms such as PACS, VNA, and clinical interoperability systems that centralize imaging data and ensure continuity of care. This integration is a strategic differentiator for expanding healthcare systems in countries like Angola and Senegal, where digitalization and clinical efficiency are emerging priorities.
Yapama also provides molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine solutions through Abbott’s portfolio — a global leader in this field. Its technologies analyze DNA and RNA for the early detection of oncological diseases such as breast cancer, allowing for personalized therapies and significantly improving treatment success rates. In addition, we offer Abbott’s point-of-care solutions — rapid, portable tests — ideal for African settings with limited infrastructure. Yapama has been actively promoting these solutions in remote areas, contributing to faster diagnoses, better clinical decisions, and above all, equitable access to healthcare.
Tools such as iBreastExam, a portable, radiation-free device, can detect breast lumps within minutes and are already showing great potential in rural African regions. We believe that solutions like this can and must be adapted to the African context, fostering greater healthcare equity.
Breast cancer in Africa demands swift, pragmatic, and sustained action. When combined with strong public policies, technology can transform disease outcomes and increase impact on populations. At Yapama, we work every day to bring these technologies closer to African women — helping save lives and structurally transform healthcare across the continent.
This is our commitment.
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