Welcome to the Department of Oncology
"Semper Consolari" - To Comfort Always
At the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Oncology, care begins with compassion and is sustained by clinical excellence. For more than 40 years, our department has stood as a symbol of hope, healing, and advanced cancer care. Every patient is treated not only with medical expertise, but with dignity, understanding, and unwavering support through every stage of their journey.
Our multidisciplinary teams of highly trained clinical and radiation oncologists and palliative care team, nursing staff, radiation therapy radiographers, and medical physicists, work seamlessly to deliver world-class, patient-centred, and evidence-based oncological treatment. Our teams are sought after nationally and internationally, underscoring the department’s reputation for and commitment to exceptional oncological care, innovation, and professional development.
As a national reference centre, we serve patients from all income levels across South Africa. Our dedicated training areas include the Free State, Northern Cape, Lesotho, and parts of the Eastern Cape, ensuring that quality oncological services are accessible to communities that need them most.
At the Department of Oncology, no patient is defined by circumstance, only by the care they deserve.
Understanding Oncology
Oncology is dedicated to the study, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. It is a discipline rooted in science and driven by humanity. In our Department, oncology means combining advanced medical knowledge with compassionate engagement, ensuring that each patient is treated as a person first, and a diagnosis second.
Research with Purpose
Our department hosts an active, internationally respected research programme. Through regular participation in global clinical trial, our patients, many from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds, gain access to proven, effective therapies that might otherwise be unavailable. Research in our department is not abstract; it directly translates into better outcomes, improved quality of life, and renewed hope for those facing cancer.
Shaping the Way Forward for Oncological Care
Innovation defines our path forward. Through collaborations such as joint research initiatives with the University of Maastricht and MD Anderson, and the implementation of advanced radiation technologies like Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and AI driven planning options, we continue to strengthen our ability to deliver precise, effective, and patient-centred treatment.
Care Beyond Medicine
In the words of Albert Schweitzer, “Here, at whatever hour you come, you will find light and help and human kindness.” This philosophy is at the heart of every consultation, every treatment plan, and every conversation in our department. We believe, as Abraham Jacobi advised, in treating the person who is sick, not merely the disease, and supporting the patient and the family in the journey.
The Department of Oncology at UFS is more than a clinical service. It is a place of reassurance, resilience, and restored possibility; where science meets compassion, and every patient is supported with comfort, respect, and care.
Leading the Future of Oncology
Whether you are a patient seeking trusted care, a student pursuing world-class training, or a professional looking to grow in a leading academic environment, we offer more than treatment; we provide partnership, innovation, and hope. We are guided by expertise, strengthened by research, and committed to comfort, dignity, and purpose. For further information on the possibilities that await you, please contact the Department of Oncology directly.