Debunking Myths Surrounding Breast Cancer in Africa

Strategic Insights -

Breast cancer is a prevalent health issue in Africa, with a lifetime risk of a black woman developing breast cancer being 1 in 43 in South Africa, compared to 1 in 8 in the US. Despite its incidence, breast cancer care in Africa is hindered by socio-economic factors, making early diagnosis and access to treatment challenging. As researchers, we aim to use scientific research to directly benefit patients and highlight common misconceptions surrounding breast cancer in Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • Breast cancer is not a single disease, but rather has many different forms, based on the expression of proteins on the surface of the tumour cell called receptors.
  • The distribution of different types of breast cancer varies across Africa, with triple negative breast cancers being most common in west Africa, while hormone receptor-positive cancers are more common in east and southern Africa.
  • Women from South Africa of African ancestry are more likely to have hormone receptor-positive tumours, with or without HER2, types with a better prognosis.
  • Genomic assays can aid in optimising treatment plans and predicting cancer recurrence.
  • Both hormone receptor-positive cancers and those with HER2 have well-established treatment options, while triple negative breast cancer treatment options are more limited.
  • Immunotherapy and PARP inhibitors are promising new therapies for triple negative breast cancer, but are mostly beyond the reach of patients due to socio-economic factors.
  • HIV and viral infections have been linked to the development of some other cancers, but not breast cancer.
  • HIV-positive patients with hormone receptor-positive cancers have worse outcomes, even though hormone receptor-positive cancers have a better prognosis.

Statistics:

  • The lifetime risk of a black woman developing breast cancer in South Africa is 1 in 43.
  • 55% of breast cancer patients in Johannesburg have hormone receptor-positive cancers.
  • 27% of breast cancer patients in Johannesburg have HER2-positive cancers.
  • 14% of breast cancer patients in Johannesburg have triple negative breast cancers.

Sources:

  • The Conversation -- Africa -- By Raquel AB Duarte, Associate Professor; Head of Translational Research, University of the Witwatersrand "Breast cancer in Africa: myths that need to be debunked" https://theconversation.com/breast-cancer-in-africa-myths-that-need-to-be-debunked-241813