BoC Oncology Centre: spearheading anti-cancer efforts for over 20 years

In its third decade of operations, the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre has established itself in the consciousness of Cypriot society, as a leader in cancer treatment and patient support. Like the rest of the world, the Centre currently faces one of the century’s biggest challenges: the Covid-19 pandemic.

The centre’s health professionals have been at the forefront of caring for cancer patients in a safe environment, staying true to their goal of leaving no patient without treatment due to the pandemic, while keeping procedures safe for patients and staff alike.

To achieve this, strict measures have had to be enforced, including banning companions and loved ones from the Centre. This goal could not have been achieved without the help of cancer patient associations, agencies, organisations and close associates of the Centre, which ensured all patients received the care they needed.

The Oncology Centre owes its success to two main elements: the continuous training of its staff, and technological upgrades to its equipment. State-of-the art linear accelerators, considered the crown jewel of American brand Varian, were installed at the Centre in 2020.

In addition, the Centre is staffed by oncologists who specialise in the treatment of specific types of cancer. Oncologists participate in the center’s multidisciplinary teams where they discuss cases with other health professionals, to create an individualised treatment plan for each patient, following internationally-recognised guidelines.

Through the launch of the Cyprus Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), the Centre has gained special momentum in the cancer research field, bringing together renowned scientists whose findings could benefit cancer patients not only in Cyprus, but worldwide.

The Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre was certified in 2007 by CHKS (Caspe Healthcare Knowledge Systems), meeting standards issued by the organisation and holding the international standard ISO 9001.

Second student competition

Meanwhile, as part of the Centre’s efforts to raise cancer treatment awareness, the Centre is organising a Pancyprian Student Competition, open to pupils at lyceums and technical schools. The competition is being organised in collaboration with the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society, the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends-Pasykaf, Europa Donna Cyprus, the Karaiskakio Foundation, Europa Uomo Cyprus, One Dream One Wish, the Christina Apostolou Foundation and the Cyprus Dietetic & Nutrition Association, .

The goals of the Pancyprian Student Competition are:

1. To raise awareness and inform students about cancer prevention
2. To encourage students to get their information about cancer from credible sources
3. To encourage creative and critical thinking in students
4. To generate donations for volunteer organisations

Participants are asked to submit their entries in the following categories:

Song: an original composition with music and lyrics in Greek or the Cypriot dialect. May include one or more musical instruments and be performed by one or more singers. Can be up to four minutes long, submitted in mp3 form

Artwork: an original painting or poster (A4 or A3 size for individual submission, A4, A3 or A2 for a group submission)

Essay: a paper written in Greek or English, paragraphed, up to 500 words.

Winners will be awarded cash prizes, with a €300 First Prize, a €200 Second Prize and a €100 Third Prize going to winners in each category.

The competition is sponsored by the Bank of Cyprus.