Andrea Kkoufou Psychologist andrea.kkoufou@anticancersociety.org.cy

1. The Cyprus Anticancer Society Andrea Kkoufou Psychologist andrea.kkoufou@anticancersociety.org.cy

2. CYPRUS ANTICANCER SOCIETY • A non-profit organization that aims in providing the best possible care for cancer patients and their families • Aims: • Raise public's awareness about prevention • Educate the public about the effects of early diagnosis of cancer • Palliative Care

3. Cyprus Anticancer Society • 1971  Founded • 1976  Arodaphnousa • 1992  Home Care Service • 1999  Bank of Cyprus sponsor for Christodoula March • 2011  Evagorion Centre for Palliative Care

4. 2000 • Transportation of Cancer Patients to Bank of Cyprus • Oncology Center • Social Work Service • Counseling Services • Physiotherapy • Aromatherapy • Day Care Centers (DCC) • Medical Equipment

5. 2011 • “EVAGORION CENTER FOR PALLIATIVE CARE” • Inagurated on February 23rd, 2011 in Limassol • Services offered at the Center • Bloodtests and nursing treatment • Psychosocial support and interventions • Bereavement counseling • Physiotherapy involving lymphoedema Treatment • Transportation of patients to Nicosia for treatment and follow ups

6. Services offered for FREE at The Cyprus Anticancer Society • Arodaphnousa Hospice • Home Care Service • Day Care Service • Psychosocial Support • Transportation of patients to the Oncology Center • Physiotherapy • Aromatherapy

7. ARODAPHNOUSA • ARODAPHNOUSA is our Palliative Care Center in Nicosia. It hosts: • 2 Doctors ( trained in palliative care and pain control) • Nursing Staff • Psychologist • Sociologist • Physiotherapist • Aromatherapist • Priest • Volunteers

8. Criteria for accepting in-patients • Patients with advanced cancer who need constant and advanced care which is not available or possible at home or in any other medical facility • Patients are admitted in Arodaphnousa in order to: • Assess and control pain and symptoms • To enable the families who are the main care givers at home a period in which to rest and rejuvenate themselves • To offer intense physiotherapy or therapy for the lymphatic system

9. HOME CARE SERVICE • The Cyprus Anticancer Society offers home care visits to cancer patients who are bed ridden or unable to drive to get to the office • Our nurses, psychologists, social workers, and physiotherapists are always there to assess the condition of the patient and respond to their needs

10. DAY CARE CENTER • The Day Care Center, aims at creating a social support network for cancer patients who have undergone therapies or are currently receiving treatment • It takes place once a week in all of our offices in Cyprus

11. Services offered at the Day Care Centers • Psychosocial Support • Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, aromatherapy • Cooking classes • Day trips • Snacks and drinks

12. Psychological Support • Psychological support and counseling services offered at the centers is an essential part of the wholistic approach to cancer patients' treatment • It aims at helping the patient and his family: • Understand their emotions • Learn stress management and relaxation techniques • Manage intense and uncomfortable feelings (shock, fear, anxiety, depression, guilt, denial, loneliness) • Adjust to changes • Cope better with their illness and treatment • Communicate their wants and needs • Our mental health providers are there to help the patients throughout their cancer journey • The frequency and number of sessions with a psychologist varies according to individual needs • Psychological services are provided to patients and their families for as long as is considered necessary

13. Social Support • The Social Work service at the Cyprus Anticancer Society aims at: • 1) screening patients and familes with complex needs and high levels of distress • 2) managing the social impacts of a cancer diagnosis on the patient, their family and the wider system • 3) assisting with the many practical challenges patients face (finances, employment, housing, isolation, etc) • 4) engaging with patients and advocate on their behalf • 5) Strengthening links with community organisations, the General Hospital, and clinics

14. Patients' Transportation • Daily transportation of cancer patients from Pafos, Limassol, Larnaca, Paralimni to BOCOC and Nicosia General Hospital • Patients who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy in Nicosia • In 2010, 1667 patients used this service

15. Physiotherapy • Physiotherapy takes place at “Evagorion Center of Palliative Care in Limassol” and “Arodaphnousa Hospice” in Nicosia • Aims at: • helping to regain independence and function following treatment • Helping to reduce lyphoedema (swelling related to treatment involving lymph nodes area) • Teaching techniques to help control certain types of breathlessnes • Giving exercises and advice following certain types of surgery and radiotherapy • Assessing and teaching exercises to people with muscle weakness • Assessing and treating weakness and paralysis caused by brain and spinal tumours • Helping to control certain types of pain • Assisting patients with problems of balance and coordination • Assessing and providing equipment such as sticks, crutches and frames to help with walking and promoting wellbeing and independenceη

16. Aromatherapy • Offered only at “Arodaphonousa” in Nicosia • Aromatherapy is a therapeutic use of essential oils for the improvement of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being • Aromatherapy helps: • Stimulate energy and appetite • Provide some degree of pain relief • Lessen anxiety and depression • Ease chronic tension • Improve quality of life

17. Financial Resources • Christodoula March • Funerals (Donations in memory) • Philanthropic Events • Christmas Cards • General Donations

18. THANK YOU!