Africa: Nigeria Records 543% Surge in Breast Cancer Cases As Africa Tops Global Rise - Study
AllAfrica
March 4, 2026
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Nigeria has experienced a staggering 543% surge in breast cancer cases between 1990 and 2023, with 53,500 new cases reported in 2023 alone. This alarming rise places Nigeria at the forefront of a broader trend across Africa, where several countries are witnessing some of the fastest-growing breast cancer burdens globally. For instance, Equatorial Guinea recorded a 312% increase in new cases, while Ethiopia and Egypt saw significant rises of 207% and 189%, respectively. These statistics highlight a concerning pattern that extends beyond Nigeria, impacting low- and middle-income countries disproportionately.
The study, published in *The Lancet*, analyzed data from population-based cancer registries, vital registration systems, and caregiver interviews across 204 countries. It revealed that breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among women globally, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases diagnosed in 2023—73% of which occurred in high- and upper-middle-income nations. However, projections indicate a grim future: global breast cancer deaths are expected to rise by 44%, reaching nearly 1.4 million annually by 2050, predominantly affecting low- and lower-middle-income countries.
In Nigeria, the situation is dire. While new cases rose by 542.9% since 1990, breast cancer deaths increased by 408.3%, with 26,200 women dying in 2023. This alarming trend aligns with previous findings that attribute high cancer mortality rates to policy failures, such as late diagnosis, inadequate healthcare systems, and prohibitive out-of-pocket costs for treatment. These challenges are compounded by the fact that younger women aged 20-54 are experiencing rising incidence rates, reflecting shifts
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Originally published on AllAfrica on 3/4/2026