The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has awarded ESMO Designated Centre of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care accreditation to 16 new oncology centres at the ESMO 2012 Congress in Vienna.

"This year's awardees - 13 based in Europe, one in Egypt, one in Singapore and one in India - demonstrate the truly international scope of ESMO's work. It shows how ESMO wants to help humanity, not just European oncology patients," said Dr Raphael Catane, one of the founding members of the ESMO Palliative Care Working Group. 

The award, judged anonymously by ESMO Palliative Care Working Group members, assesses centres according to 13 rigorous criteria including: close integration of oncology and palliative care services for all cancer patients; centres being committed to a philosophy of continuity of care and non-abandonment; high levels of home care, and support for family members.

The awards were announced at the ESMO 2012 Congress in Vienna.