Waits cut for cancer treatment requests, Cyprus Oncology Society says

Most of the 90 cancer treatments and treatment combinations assessed in a review of the General Health System’s (GHS) oncology protocols have been added to the GHS list. As a result, they no longer need to go through the separate named-patient process, which had caused delays for cancer patients and their doctors. Patients who meet the criteria in the relevant protocol can now get these treatments through other, far less time-consuming procedures. The Cyprus Oncology Society said named-patient requests fell 23.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the first. It said waiting times had been significantly reduced, and doctors and their patients now learn the outcome of requests quickly. The treatments were assessed as part of creating or updating 17 oncology protocols, and evaluation at committee level is complete for all 90. For a small number, the scientific evaluation is complete, but negotiations must be concluded before they can be added to the list. These include treatments for colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and urothelial cancer. Cancers covered The 17 protocols cover: – breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer – lung cancer – cancer of the stomach, oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction – pancreatic and biliary cancer – hepatocellular cancer – colorectal cancer – prostate cancer – urothelial and kidney cancer – melanoma, neuroendocrine tumours, non-melanoma skin cancers and soft tissue sarcomas What the society says The society described the development as positive and attributed it to coordinated action by itself and the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO). It said the updating and review of oncology protocols had been completed within the planned timetables. It credited its member oncologists and the HIO with helping to meet targets set in June 2025. The society said it would keep pushing for a regular, annual review of the protocols, to further improve cancer services.