Training African Pathologists in Cancer Staging

As we reported in our last report, the Training African Pathologists in Cancer Diagnosis (TAPCD) project is being followed by an elearning course developed by course faculty members. The course is now ending, and as part of the analysis we are considering developing a stand-alone course to make this training available to pathologists throughout sub-Saharan Africa via the Internet. As we've noted previously it is not possible to provide in-person training for every pathologist in that region due to the hig cost of in-person meetings, and the simple fact that it isn’t possible for most health care workers there to get the time off needed to attend in-person training workshops. The elearning course is one potential way to provide training on a more widespread basis.

As previously noted, for future activities related to this project, we continue to explore two options: one is a follow-up course in the Eastern, Central, and Southern part of sub-Saharan Africa; the other would be hled in the Francophone region of Africa. In order to leverage resources we continue to explore partnerships with other organizations, including the College of Pathologists of East, South, and Central Africa (COPECSA) and Aga Khan University, Nairobi.

Because training in cancer staging is only one component of diagnostics in cancer care, we are considering expanding the scope of this project in the near future. Any changes to the project will be readily apparent on Global Giving.

We thank you all for your continued support and will continue to provide updates as this project proceeds!