Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Our Work
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about ACAT's cancer diagnosis training and services in Africa.
About Our Mission
Learn about ACAT's work and impact in cancer diagnosis
Training & Education
Questions about our histopathology courses and programs
Get Involved
How to volunteer, donate, or support our cause
Histopathology is the microscopic examination of tissue samples to diagnose disease. It's absolutely critical for cancer diagnosis because:
- 90% of cancers require histopathological examination for accurate diagnosis
- It determines the specific type of cancer, which dictates treatment approach
- It reveals the tumor grade, indicating how aggressive the cancer is
- It identifies biomarkers that guide targeted therapy selection
- It provides staging information crucial for prognosis and treatment planning
Without histopathology, oncologists cannot provide the most effective, personalized treatment for cancer patients.
Africa faces a critical shortage of trained histopathologists, creating a major barrier to cancer diagnosis:
- Late-stage diagnosis: Most cancers in Uganda are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited
- Limited specialists: There are very few trained histopathologists across the continent
- Cost barriers: Private diagnostic services cost $50+ USD, unaffordable for most patients earning under $1.50/day
- Equipment shortages: Many laboratories lack essential diagnostic equipment
- Training gaps: Limited opportunities for local healthcare workers to gain specialized skills
ACAT addresses these challenges by training local specialists, providing affordable diagnostic services, and developing cost-effective technology solutions.
Our biopsy clinic at Mbarara University provides life-saving diagnostic services:
- Free services: All biopsies are provided at no cost to patients
- Cost innovation: We've reduced per-biopsy costs from $50 USD to under $5 USD through efficient resource management
- Rapid results: Diagnosis in 2-3 days instead of weeks or months
- Over 200 patients served since opening in November 2022
- 134 cancer diagnoses made, enabling early treatment
- Community outreach: Education programs encouraging women to seek evaluation early
The clinic removes financial barriers that previously prevented 90% of women from accessing diagnostic services.
The DaiDipper is our innovative automated tissue staining machine designed for resource-limited settings:
- Affordable: Target cost under £100, compared to thousands for commercial alternatives
- Open source: All designs and instructions will be freely available
- Automated immunostaining: Eliminates time-intensive manual processes
- Consistent results: Reduces human variability in staining protocols
- Easy to use: No specialized expertise required for operation
- Global accessibility: Uses commonly available components
Register your interest here if you're interested in beta testing.
ACAT provides comprehensive histopathology training through several programs:
- Intensive courses: 3-4 week programs covering all aspects of cancer histopathology
- Hands-on training: Direct mentorship with experienced UK pathologists
- Ongoing support: Continued guidance and follow-up training
- Certification: Recognized qualifications enhancing career prospects
- Local capacity building: 6 local doctors trained as qualified histopathologists
- 15+ healthcare workers trained in diagnostic techniques
Our programs focus on practical skills needed for accurate cancer diagnosis in African healthcare settings.
Our training programs are designed for various healthcare professionals:
- Medical doctors seeking histopathology specialization
- Laboratory technicians working in pathology departments
- Medical students in their final years of training
- Pathology residents and fellows
- Healthcare workers in cancer diagnosis and treatment
Programs are conducted at partner institutions including Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Participants should have basic medical training and access to microscopy equipment.
We welcome volunteers with various skills and backgrounds:
- Medical professionals: Pathologists, oncologists, and medical educators for training missions
- Technical experts: Engineers and technicians for DaiDipper development
- Fundraising: Event organizers and grant writers
- Communications: Content creators, social media managers, and photographers
- Administration: Project management and organizational support
- Web development: Technical website and digital platform support
Contact us through our Get Involved page to discuss current opportunities and how your skills can make a difference.
Stay connected with ACAT's latest developments:
- Newsletter: Updates with detailed progress reports
- Social media: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates
- Publications: Research papers documenting our medical impact
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