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World Journal of Surgical Oncology
Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Review

Rising global burden of breast cancer: the case of sub-Saharan Africa (with emphasis on Nigeria) and implications for regional development: a review

Authors: Samuel O. Azubuike, Colin Muirhead, Louise Hayes, Richard McNally

Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Despite mortality from breast cancer in Africa being higher than in high income countries, breast cancer has not been extensively studied in the region. The aim of this paper was to highlight the rising burden of breast cancer with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa as well as trends, characteristics, controversies and their implications for regional development.

Methodology

A review of published studies and documents was conducted in Medline, Scopus, Pubmed and Google using combinations of key words-breast neoplasm, breast cancer, cancer, incidence, mortality, Africa, Nigeria. Graphical and frequency analyses were carried out on some of the incidence and mortality figures retrieved from published papers and the GLOBOCAN website.

Findings

Globally, about 25% and 15% of all new cancer cases and cancer deaths respectively among females were due to breast cancer. Africa currently had the highest age-standardized breast cancer mortality rate globally, with the highest incidence rates being recorded within the sub-Saharan African sub-region. Incidence trends such as inherently aggressive tumour and younger age profile had been subject to controversies. Certain factors such as westernized diet, urbanization and possibly increasing awareness had been implicated, though their specific contributions were yet to be fully established.

Conclusion

Unless urgent action is taken, breast cancer will compound sub-Saharan Africa’s disease burden, increase poverty and gender inequality as well as reverse the current global gains against maternal and neonatal mortality.
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Metadata
Title
Rising global burden of breast cancer: the case of sub-Saharan Africa (with emphasis on Nigeria) and implications for regional development: a review
Authors
Samuel O. Azubuike
Colin Muirhead
Louise Hayes
Richard McNally
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
World Journal of Surgical Oncology / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7819
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-018-1345-2

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