Mission and history

improving and safeguarding the quality of life of cancer patients and their families

At the time when cancer was still considered to be a curse, an incurable and frightening disease among the Cypriot population, the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends was established to disperse the taboo and fear surrounding cancer.

It was founded in 1986, in the divided capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, by a small but pioneering group of women.  All of them had already experienced cancer in one way or another.  Some were cancer patients themselves; others had suffered the loss of beloved ones.  They knew what cancer was, and they were determined to fight it in every possible way.

Until 1986 diagnosis was made and treatment was provided under difficult conditions.  The public was not adequately informed about matters relating to the prevention of cancer.  Fear and prejudice prevailed.  Cancer meant pain, death.  No psychological support was offered to cancer patients.  At the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends they knew there was a lot of hard work to be done and a lot of ground to be covered.  Their mission was there:  'the improvement and safeguarding of the quality of life of cancer patients and their families'.

Their voice was first heard through the words of Dr Anna Achilleoudi, the president and founder of the Association, who stated in public: 'I am a breast cancer survivor, cancer is curable if early diagnosed and treated.  I am a living example'.

Their objectives were already put in action:

• To enlighten the public with the correct information on matters of prevention and early detection.
• To promote continuous awareness, education and training of medical, paramedical and nursing staff on new developments of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• To initiate intervention aiming at rehabilitation.
• To provide cancer patients and their families with moral and financial support.
• To struggle for the improvement of cancer diagnostic and treatment services in Cyprus by educating and training both professionals and the public.

Through the years that followed, this core of women devoted themselves to the study, and research gaining insight on how other similar associations and organisations operated worldwide.  A lot of emphasis was placed on training the staff abroad.  The knowledge and experience gained, helped the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends to initiate services based on European standards which brought comfort, boosted hope whilst maintained the patient's stamina through the hardship of cancer.

In 1990, the Psychosocial Support and social rehabilitation service began and evolved into one of the most important services of the Association.  This service offers patients and their families, individual and group psychosocial support, self-help groups and other social and financial support.  Along with the professionals of this service a number of trained volunteers, mostly women, also meet with patients and offers support and assistance to them and their families.

Two years later, in 1992, a multi-disciplinary Home Care Service began to operate.  Through this service the Association provides patients with palliative care that is, medical and nursing care, symptoms control and psychosocial support outside the hospital settings and makes it possible for patients to remain at the comfort of their home.

Having recognised the people's needs for these services, the Association expanded its activities through opening branches all over free Cyprus, in the districts of Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and free Famagusta area.  One such a need was the transportation of patients from the districts to the place of treatment in Nicosia General Hospital and for this purpose the Association has organized and has been running a daily bus service for the patients.  In 2005, the Patients' Transport Service provided its service to 465 patients.  

In 1995 the Association established the Physiotherapy Service.  The Home Care team is complemented by the provision of physiotherapy which assists in the rehabilitation of patients following therapy or simply promotes well being and quality of life to patients at home and to patients at the Oncology Center.  Practical aids are also loaned, such as wheelchairs, pressure relieving mattresses, etc. 

In 1998 the Day Care Centres, were found.   In a comfortable environment at the premises of the Association, patients can participate in groups and activities which provide companionship, friendship and support.  Activities include music exploration, exercising, craftwork and excursions.

 A year later the Lymphoedema Service was established for patients who have received treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy and potentially can experience swelling of limbs.  Through this service the Association provides patients with  information, advice and treatment / management. 

Since the very beginning the Association had become an active member of international organizations against breast cancer.  Women representatives of the Association took part in national and world conferences, workshops and congresses.   The Association also ran awareness campaigns about the importance of the Pap test and the mammogram in order to boost prevention and early detection.  In order to reinforce this effort, the Association established a breast cancer movement in 1998, a pressure group which had initially become a member of the European breast cancer coalition (Europa Donna) as Europa Donna Cyprus and then transformed into a high profile independent forum in 2000. 

Cancer awareness campaigns are also part of the annual agenda of the Association and they include various cancer topics such as nutrition, sun protection, lifestyle, male cancer etc.

The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends, a woman's initiative that grew and flourished to become a whole organisation of hope; the only Association ever founded by cancer patients in Cyprus.