Breast cancer statistics across Africa

Breast cancer statistics across Africa

Breast cancer statistics across Africa


Understanding the data behind Africa's breast cancer challenge through comprehensive statistics that drive our advocacy and action.


Understanding the data behind Africa’s breast cancer challenge through comprehensive statistics that drive our advocacy and action.

The current landscape

These statistics highlight the urgent need for improved breast cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment across the African continent.

Rising incidence

Rising incidence

Breast cancer rates are increasing across Africa, requiring urgent attention and action.

Late diagnosis

Late diagnosis

Many women are diagnosed at advanced stages, limiting treatment options and outcomes.

Treatment gaps

Treatment gaps

Significant disparities exist in access to quality treatment across different regions.

Data action

Data action

Evidence-based insights drive policy recommendations and strategic interventions.

Today, around 5 in 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa will not be alive five years later. In high-income countries, more than 9 in 10 survive.

Today, around 5 in 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa will not be alive five years later. In high-income countries, more than 9 in 10 survive.

Low survival

Low survival

Source: IARC, Breast Cancer Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa, Evidence Summary Brief No. 1 (2021)

Source: IARC, Breast Cancer Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa, Evidence Summary Brief No. 1 (2021)

Late stage diagnosis

Late stage diagnosis

Between 60%–70% of women in African countries are diagnosed at a late stage.

Between 60%–70% of women in African countries are diagnosed at a late stage.

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, Noncommunicable Diseases Bulletin, Issue 3 (November 2025), p. 11.

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, Noncommunicable Diseases Bulletin, Issue 3 (November 2025), p. 11.

Breast cancer statistics across Africa

Explore interactive data visualizations showing breast cancer incidence, survival rates, and screening coverage across our focus countries.

Explore interactive data visualizations showing breast cancer incidence, survival rates, and screening coverage across our focus countries.

Swipe sideways to see all columns

CountryIncidence rank
(both sexes)		Incidence rank
(women)		Mortality rank
(both sexes)		Mortality rank
(women)
Africa1st1st1st1st
Algeria1st1st1st1st
Côte d'Ivoire1st1st1st1st
Egypt1st1st2nd1st
Ghana1st1st1st1st
Kenya1st1st1st1st
Morocco1st1st2nd1st
Nigeria1st1st1st1st
Rwanda2nd1st3rd2nd
South Africa2nd1st2nd1st
Tunisia1st1st2nd1st
Europe1st1st3rd1st
United States1st1st4th2nd

¹ Age-standardised rate (World) per 100,000 women.

² Percentage of all new cancer cases in both sexes combined.

Source: IARC, Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today, Population Fact Sheets (2024 estimates).

¹ Age-standardised rate (World) per 100,000 women.

² Percentage of all new cancer cases in both sexes combined.

Source: IARC, Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today, Population Fact Sheets (2024 estimates).

Working together to increase early detection, accelerate diagnosis, and improve treatment outcomes for breast cancer in Africa.

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Working together to increase early detection, accelerate diagnosis, and improve treatment outcomes for breast cancer in Africa.

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Council
Focus countries

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© 2026 Africa Breast Cancer Council. All rights reserved.

Africa Breast Cancer Council logo

Working together to increase early detection, accelerate diagnosis, and improve treatment outcomes for breast cancer in Africa.

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Home
About
Council
Focus countries

More

News & events

Legal

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Terms of use

© 2026 Africa Breast Cancer Council. All rights reserved.