New Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center at the Andreas Syngros Hospital

“Each island destination, each moment of exposure under the sun can leave its own indelible mark on the map of our skin. However, some of these marks might be more dangerous than others. For this reason, the mapping of your nevi with the help a dermatologist is necessary.” All those who attended the official launch of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center at the Andreas Syngros Hospital (I. Dragoumi 5, Athens) had the chance to read this message upon browsing through the information leaflet that was distributed during the ceremony. A new, modern and functional space that was refurbished with the exclusive support of the Onassis Foundation, was created with the capacity to receive more than 40 patients with skin tumor condition on a daily basis, thus undertaking an important service against a disease that grows at a frantic pace.

In the last few years, the melanoma cases in Greece have skyrocketed dangerously, reaching a number of 400–500 new diagnoses on a yearly basis, presenting the 6th more common type of cancer among men and the 7th more common type among women. In the face of this reality, Onassis Foundation – steadily directed towards health public service – proceeded in the full refurbishment of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center. This new center, expanding over an area of 250 square meters (three times larger than the previous space), provides four consultation rooms, a room for micro surgery procedures, a staff rest area, as well as a library hall, a teleconference area, and a room for interviewing patients.

A new, high-quality, and modernized space provides prime conditions to the patients, and to the medical and nursing personnel, who are now equipped with all the necessary means so as to perform its service without distractions.

This work rounds up an awareness-raising campaign run by the Onassis Foundation, under the scientific auspices of the new Melanoma Center, which seeks to make skin cancer a thing of the past.