“In a healthcare system that continues to evolve, palliative care remains a field with growing needs. The role of the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society, through services provided free of charge and covering the needs of thousands of patients, highlights both the extent of these needs and the importance of organised support structures for patients and their families.
Regarding the legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives, the president of the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society, Alekos Stamatis, told Politis that “its success will be judged in practice.”
Mr Stamatis welcomed the adoption of the law regulating the provision of palliative care, reminding that following interventions by the Society in 2017, palliative care was added to the services covered by GeSY, the national health system.
He noted that the new legislation fills an important gap, establishes the framework for the provision of palliative care and reflects society’s expectations regarding its nature and level. He added that the Society, as a provider of palliative care services with more than 50 years of experience, as well as an advocate for patients and protector of their rights, will work to ensure that its philosophy and human-centred character are preserved.
At the same time, he said that recognising that legislation can evolve and be strengthened to ensure its sustainability, the Society stands ready to contribute as experts with proposals, aiming for the best possible outcome for patients and society.
In a house, somewhere in a neighbourhood in Cyprus, care knocks on the door. A nurse crosses the threshold and support continues where the patient feels most comfortable – at home.
For cancer patients, leaving the hospital does not mean the end of care needs. On the contrary, it often marks the beginning of a long period during which pain and symptom management, psychological burden and the disruption of everyday life move into the home, affecting not only the patient but also the entire family.
This is precisely where palliative care intervenes. Not to cure the disease, but to improve quality of life, reduce pain and support the patient on all levels – physical, psychological and social.
“Palliative care is an approach that must stand by the patient at every stage of the illness, keeping the person and their dignity at the centre,” explained Maria Ioannidou, executive director of the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society, speaking to Politis.
The occasion for this discussion is the Christodoula March, which will take place on Saturday, 25 April 2026, in all cities. It is one of the Society’s key awareness and support initiatives.
Each step of the march sends a message of solidarity to fellow citizens with cancer experience, strengthens the palliative care services of the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society and brings hope and strength to those who need it.
Services provided
A central role in this approach is played by home care services, through which care is delivered directly to the patient’s home.
The process begins with an assessment of the needs of the patient and their family, in order to design an individualised care plan. The team works in cooperation with the patient’s treating physician, ensuring continuity in the therapeutic approach.
The philosophy behind this model is that the patient is not just a diagnosis, but a person with needs that extend beyond treatment.
“Remaining at home has been proven to have a beneficial effect on the patient. There they feel safety, familiarity and dignity. Our role is to bring medical care into this environment without compromising quality,” explained the medical director of the Anti-Cancer Society, Dr Sofia Nestoros, speaking to Politis.
These services are based on the cooperation of a multidisciplinary team, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and physiotherapists. This collaboration enables a holistic approach to care, aiming to meet the patient’s needs at every level.
Services include blood tests and medication administration, wound and stoma care, management of symptoms such as pain, nausea or shortness of breath, as well as training for caregivers.
At the same time, medical equipment is provided on loan so that the home environment can meet care needs.
Physiotherapy also forms part of palliative care, aiming to maintain the patient’s mobility and functionality. Interventions include pain relief, muscle strengthening, improvement of mobility and management of lymphedema, particularly for patients who cannot easily move.
Psychological support
Cancer affects not only the body but also the mental well-being of the patient and their family, bringing fear, anxiety and uncertainty.
Within the framework of palliative care, the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society provides psychological support at all stages of the disease, both to the patient and their family.
This support can also be offered at home, when necessary, by specialised professionals. The aim is to help manage the emotions arising from the diagnosis and course of the illness and to strengthen the patient’s psychological resilience.
Beyond this, illness is often accompanied by practical difficulties. The Society’s social workers assess the needs of the patient and family, provide guidance regarding benefits and rights, and connect them with state and community services.
In this way, the goal is to support the family and help maintain a functional everyday life during a period of intense pressure.
Arodafnousa
Although the law regulating palliative care was passed only recently, after years of discussion and consultation, palliative care for cancer patients has been provided in Cyprus for decades, specifically since the 1970s, with the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society playing a pioneering role.
The Arodafnousa Palliative Care Centre is the first and only specialised centre on the island, offering comprehensive services to cancer patients both inpatient and outpatient.
Care includes pain and symptom management, supportive therapy, and psychological, social and spiritual support. At the same time, services such as physiotherapy, aromatherapy and lymphedema therapy are also provided.
All services are offered free of charge, and the centre holds international certification from Accreditation Canada, recognising the quality of its services.
To this day, Arodafnousa remains the only specialised palliative care centre in Cyprus, addressing needs that extend beyond hospitalisation to include daily support for patients and their families.