Hi,
Can anybody tell me if there is a charity or fundraising campaign in place for a PET Scanner for Cyprus anywhere on the island.
If there isn't, I would like to start one as my oncologist is having to send me to Athens to have a PET Scan. Apparently the Cypriot Ministry of Health send many patients to Athens to get this important scan.
I don't know of any charity but maybe speak with PASYKAF and they may be able to point you in the right direction.
I wonder is there a specific reason that a PET scan machine isn't available. Would it be used enough to justify costs involved and are there sufficient radiologists here who are trained in the reading of the scans. Whilst I am sure all radiologists are trained in them they wont actually have kept their skills up through non use of them so this may be another reason why a machine would be unfeasible.
Not having a sufficient flow of patients to use a PET scan would be a problem - the same can be said for other health care technology.
The chap who repaired my hernia spent several days in London (at Barts I think) where he could keep up and practice his skills as a console surgeon. I was amazed when he showed me photos of the equipment - a mere $2,000,000!
Good morning Carollyne. You and i have spoken about this and i passed this onto our radiographer daughter.
She has said that not all radiographers are trained, it is a specialised piece of equipment. This would entail in depth training and then obviously in turn this would mean them being sent abroad for this training.
I think there would be good use made of one judging by how many attend the oncology unit in Nicosia alone as you and i know. Not every hospital in the UK have a Pet Scanner but i do know of a few. May be a good idea to initially find out how many are indeed sent to Athens for this service as this would give you an idea of the need for one here.
Our daughter was extremely impressed by the equipment in situ at the Oncology Centre and was amazed at how up to date they were.
There was, a couple of years ago, a new xray machine in Nicosia General still in its packaging as no-one knew how to use it. Speaks volumes.
I applaud what you are doing as you know and as promised will help as much as i can and i am sure others will follow suit. Good luck, you are a marvel!
Hi Deanna,
Thank you for your positive reply and yes, we have spoken about this piece of equipment.
I too am very impressed with the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre and feel that a PET scanner could only be advantageous. http://www.bococ.org.cy/english-pdf/english.pdf As you quite rightly say tho, it would be a good idea to find out exactly how many get sent to Athens to be scanned. I will speak to my contact at the Ministry of Health who organises the scans.
Great idea carollynne, many lives can be saved by early detection and the ability to be able to perform surgery precisely when exact locations of tumours are shown on a PET scan. I have seen my PET scan but didn't pay it much attention at the time, I carry my CT scan latest results on my iPhone, it helps me cope by having some knowledge of my cancer.
I'd never heard much about them before I had my PET scan here in the UK 21 months ago...
There are 15 PET scanners in the UK ATM and more planned.
The cost of setting up the scanners I don't know, but I know it takes two years to build and caliberate them. The cost per year to run is £1 million, each scan approx costs £1000 to do.
Out of interest can I ask,do you not want to go to Greece,or is it the case that you feel there should be the equipment here. ?
Edit) Just had a look and the new prices for a PET scanner range from 250,000 dollars to 600,000 dollars. Then as others have said there is the cost of running and maintaining them. An awful lot of money to be raised by way of charitable contributions.
It has always seemed odd to me that in the " boom years " all of the latest equipment available was not set up here. I have heard of so many modern pieces of equipment lying around in hospitals just not being used either because of lack of funds or trained operators. A case of not getting their priorities right ( again )
Sorry you have need of one of these machines and I hope the outcome of the investigations goes well for you.
I really do not think it is a question of not wanting to go to Athens because for the poster it is out of necessity that this trip will be arranged and made.
We are lucky that here in Cyprus they are willinng to send us to where technology exists to help us. It is admirable that Carollyne is attempting to obtain this piece of valuable equipment to help anyone facing this dreadful condition, I applaud her and her endeavours.
Lyn, you sound so upbeat and well done you in your own personal fight.
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