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Kapa3 at the “Latest Developments in Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment VII” Conference

Kapa3 at the “Latest Developments in Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment VII” Conference – Highlighting the Social Dimension of Health and Palliative Care

From October 3 to 5, 2025, the “Latest Developments in Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment VII” conference took place at the Electra Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki, featuring hybrid participation and attracting dozens of healthcare professionals from across Greece. Attendance averaged around 70 participants per hour, reflecting strong interest in both scientific advancements and social aspects of lung cancer care.

At the Round Table “Social and Economic Determinants of Health: The Kapa3 Model” (October 5, 09:00–10:15), Evageli Bista and Anastasia Fragkedaki presented Kapa3’s patient-centered care model, which integrates psychosocial support, information, and empowerment for patients and caregivers.

The discussion focused on the patient’s social context, the impact of socio-economic factors on health outcomes, and the critical importance of palliative care, particularly in Northern Greece where dedicated resources remain limited. Reference was also made to the pilot program “OIKOTHEN”, implemented in collaboration with Kapa3, currently supporting four patients and receiving highly positive feedback, with plans to expand in the future.

Kapa3’s presence at the conference drew notable interest from healthcare professionals, helping to disseminate the organization’s work and philosophy across new scientific communities and healthcare institutions.

Through active participation in key scientific events nationwide, Kapa3 continues to promote the principles of holistic care, collaboration, and solidarity in the fight against cancer.

Kapa3 Highlights the Psychosocial Dimension of Cancer at the Oichalia Event “The Optimistic Side of Cancer”

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Kapa3 – the Cancer Guidance Centre – took part in the event “The Optimistic Side of Cancer”, held at the Maria Callas Cultural Centre in Oichalia, organized by the Municipality of Oichalia and the Region of Peloponnese.

The event brought together health professionals, patient organizations, and representatives of local authorities to discuss new perspectives on cancer treatment and survivorship.

Representing Kapa3, Evageli Bista, Head of Development and Operations, participated in the thematic panel “Psychosocial impacts on patients and their close environment” (19:15), delivering a talk on “Psychosocial challenges for patients and caregivers.”

Alongside Ms. Bista, the panel included insightful contributions from Dr. Maria Chaniotou, oncologist, and Ms. Eleni Papadopoulou, psychologist, who shared their professional experience and emphasized the importance of coordinated care and emotional support for people living with cancer.

Through her presentation, Ms. Bista underlined the crucial role of psychosocial support in empowering both patients and caregivers to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of cancer.

By participating in this inspiring event, Kapa3 reaffirmed its commitment to promoting solidarity, evidence-based knowledge, and holistic care as key pillars in the journey toward well-being and recovery.

New Guide by the Greek Ombudsman on Serving Vulnerable Groups in Public Services

The Greek Ombudsman has released a new, comprehensive Guide addressing the service of vulnerable social groups by public authorities. This important tool for awareness and training aims to improve the quality of service, strengthen equality, and promote respect for the rights of all citizens.

The Guide includes:

The main legal framework and legislative provisions concerning different categories of citizens.
The difficulties and barriers faced by groups such as Roma communities, persons with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, people living with addictions, or citizens with a migrant background.
Practical behavioral guidelines for civil servants to ensure that services are accessible, non-discriminatory, and respectful of each group’s specific needs.
Tools and points of reference (such as helplines, support structures, and competent services) for the immediate guidance of citizens in need.

In this way, the Guide serves as a bridge between citizens and Public Administration, promoting transparency, equal treatment, and social cohesion.

Its significance lies not only in providing up-to-date information and an overview of the relevant legislation, but also in offering clear, practical directions for the daily work of public employees. This ensures that every citizen – regardless of origin, gender, age, or social status – enjoys equal access to quality services.

The Guide is available on the website of the Greek Ombudsman and is recommended for use by all public bodies, welfare organizations, hospitals, municipalities, and citizens’ associations.

KAPA3 supports and highlights such initiatives, which contribute to both citizens’ empowerment and the better preparation of the staff who serve them. Disseminating this Guide is another step toward a society free of exclusion.

ESMO Highlights the Importance of Prioritising the Fight Against Cancer in the EU4Health 2026 Work Programme

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) submitted its response to the public consultation on the 2026 Annual Work Programme of EU4Health, emphasising the urgent need to make cancer a top priority across Europe. With the number of cancer cases projected to rise from over 4.47 million in 2022 to 5.48 million in 2045, ESMO calls for dedicated EU4Health actions to address this growing challenge.

Among the key areas highlighted by ESMO is the importance of improving accessibility to healthcare based on current medical knowledge and international standards, while adequately monitoring the quality of healthcare services to prevent inequalities across the EU. This approach aligns closely with the mission and activities of Kapa3, which aims to ensure equitable access to health support for all, particularly young adults affected by cancer.

Through its initiatives, Kapa3 actively promotes awareness, supports access to quality healthcare, and works to reduce disparities in health services, reflecting the same commitment emphasised by ESMO in its response to EU4Health.

7 October – World Day for Decent Work

World Day for Decent Work was established in 2008 by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to emphasize everyone’s right to safe, healthy, and dignified working conditions.

It highlights the importance of respect, equality, and social justice in the workplace.

For people living with cancer, work often presents a dilemma: how to balance treatment demands with job responsibilities. Unfortunately, prejudice and lack of awareness can push many patients to the margins.

Access to decent work is not a luxury—it is a right. Support at work, flexible hours, colleague understanding, and elimination of discrimination are crucial steps toward an inclusive society.

Kapa3 supports patients in knowing their rights and advocating for themselves at work. At the same time, we raise awareness about the importance of workplace inclusion.
World Day for Decent Work reminds us that the fight against cancer should never come with social exclusion. A fair society embraces everyone with respect and equal opportunities.

Shining the light on medical gaslighting and its impact on patient safety

This descriptive review, published in the Archives of Hellenic Medicine (Volume 42, Issue 5, Sept–Oct 2025), explores the concept of medical “gaslighting” and its potential impact on patient safety, such as missed, delayed, or inadequate diagnoses, delayed treatment, and suboptimal health outcomes, resulting from healthcare professionals’ failure to interact effectively with their patients.

“Gaslighting” is recognized as a form of emotional and psychological abuse that does not involve physical harm but can instill feelings of fear, isolation, or loss of control in the victim.

What is Medical Gaslighting

In medical gaslighting, persistent distortions, misunderstandings, manipulation of reality, treating patients as scapegoats, and coercion are key techniques used by “gaslighters,” creating confusion and distress in patients.

Medical gaslighting is a covert form of manipulation with serious consequences, where gaslighters often display narcissistic or antisocial personality traits to reinforce their authority.

Certain groups may be particularly vulnerable to this behavior, including individuals who are overweight, elderly, or living with mental or physical health conditions, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Black, Indigenous, or other people of color.

Profiles of Gaslighters and Gaslightees

Gaslighters use manipulation to assert and maintain power, often undermining the confidence of their victims.

Patients who experience medical gaslighting may face delayed diagnosis and treatment, as well as negative effects on both mental and physical health.

Signs of Medical Gaslighting

Ignoring or downplaying patients’ symptoms and concerns
Refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue or paying insufficient attention to the patient
Misleading the patient into believing that their symptoms are psychological (e.g., “it’s all in your head”)
Failing to provide referrals or necessary tests
Imposing a single treatment option, typically the one they recommend

How Patients Can Protect Themselves

Empowering patients and encouraging active participation in their care are central to avoiding gaslighting.

Strategies include:

Requesting sufficient time for discussion with the healthcare provider
Preparing questions before the appointment
Recording details and taking notes
Being accompanied by a trusted person
Open and honest communication

Awareness of medical gaslighting is crucial for preventing misdiagnosis and improving health outcomes. The more patients know about their rights and have self-care tools, the better they are equipped to handle instances of gaslighting.

You can read the review here

World Animal Day: The Healing Presence of Animals

World Animal Day reminds us that we share the planet with all living beings.

Animals are not just companions in our lives; they are an essential part of the balance of nature and our daily world. For many patients, having a pet provides comfort, affection, and a unique bond that eases life’s challenges.

The idea of World Animal Day began in 1925 with Heinrich Zimmermann, who organized the first celebration in Berlin. By 1931, October 4th became officially recognized as a day for all animals. The date is also connected to the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, symbolizing care and respect for all creatures.

For those fighting cancer, the presence of an animal can be therapeutic. Pet companionship reduces anxiety, brings smiles, and strengthens emotional resilience. Many hospitals abroad use “pet therapy” programs where interaction with animals helps patients feel less alone and more empowered.

At the Kapa3 Cancer Guidance Center, we understand that patient care goes beyond treatment. Mental and emotional well-being is equally important. The power of love—even from a cat or dog—reminds us that no one should walk the path of cancer alone.

World Animal Day calls us to respect all creatures and remember that kindness and affection, wherever we find them, are forms of healing.

You can read more here:

https://nationaltoday.com/world-animal-day/

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When Violence Meets Burnout: What Turkish Doctors and Nurses Reveal

The study, published in International Nursing Review (2025), examines the impact of violence perpetrated by patients and visitors against healthcare professionals in Türkiye. It was conducted by researchers from Izmir Tinaztepe University, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, and Izmir University of Economics.

A total of 387 physicians and nurses participated, with the aim of assessing how workplace violence influences burnout and whether fear of future violence acts as a mediating factor. In this context, violence can manifest verbally (shouting, threats, insults), physically (pushing, hitting, even more severe incidents), or psychologically (intimidation, pressure).

Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the researchers analyzed the effects of violence on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.

Key findings of the study include:

Violence increases burnout: Exposure to violence significantly heightens emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.
Unexpected resilience: In some cases, exposure reduces diminished personal accomplishment, suggesting identity reinforcement or coping mechanisms.
Fear of future violence: While not strongly linked to exhaustion or depersonalization, it lowers feelings of accomplishment.
Profession-specific differences: Nurses report far higher levels of direct violence, exhaustion, and depersonalization, while physicians show greater fear of future violence but stronger accomplishment.
Policy–practice gap: Despite existing legislation in Türkiye, healthcare staff feel insufficiently supported.
Cultural factors: Normalization of violence, patriarchal norms, and stigma affect both experiences and reporting.
Solutions: Organizational support, violence-prevention training, and simulation-based programs reduce fear and burnout, while structural reforms (e.g., shorter waiting times) help alleviate patient frustration.

A Call for Change:
Workplace violence is a serious occupational hazard for healthcare workers. It leads to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced accomplishment, with varying intensity across professions. Addressing it requires not only laws but also meaningful organizational, cultural, and systemic interventions to protect professionals and improve patient care.

Kapa3 participation in the MELODIC consortium meeting in Lisbon

We are delighted to announce that Kapa3 had the opportunity to take part in the recent MELODIC consortium meeting, which was held in Lisbon. Although our participation was online, it was in real time, and our team contributed actively to the discussions, which focused on the development of the training program for healthcare professionals and the design of the intervention study, both aiming to support the mental health of young adults living with cancer.

The MELODIC project, funded by the EU4HEALTH program with a total budget of €1.8 million, addresses a critical yet often overlooked issue: the mental health of young adults aged 18–35 living with cancer.

During the meeting, partners exchanged experiences and findings from European research and interviews with healthcare professionals, families, and young adults with cancer. These insights strengthened collaboration and the formulation of strategies for timely psychosocial support.

Next spring, the project will launch the intervention phase, focusing on social prescribing and the use of green and blue spaces—harnessing the power of nature and community to promote well-being.

Kapa3 continues to work closely with its European partners to ensure a meaningful impact on the lives of young adults facing cancer.

Mount Athos: The Hidden Link Between Spirituality and Health

Mount Athos: The Hidden Link Between Spirituality and Health

In northern Greece, perched on steep cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea, lies the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra — one of the twenty monasteries that make up Mount Athos. For more than a thousand years, the monks of the Holy Mountain have lived a simple life of prayer, devoted to their goal of drawing closer to God.

Longevity and Health

Simonos Petra reflects the same spiritual and physical discipline found throughout Mount Athos, where life and health are closely intertwined with faith. Despite a population of around 2,000 monks, there is only one doctor on the Holy Mountain — and rarely needed. Studies have shown that the monks exhibit remarkably low rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s. In a thirteen-year study of 1,500 monks, not a single case of lung or colon cancer was recorded, while prostate cancer incidence was far below the international average.

Their good health is attributed to a Mediterranean, meat-free diet rich in olive oil and plant proteins, strict adherence to regular meal times, and a labor-intensive, self-sufficient lifestyle: cultivating the land, gathering fruits, maintaining the facilities, and working hard to sustain their daily needs.

The Spiritual Dimension

Beyond diet and lifestyle, the monks themselves believe their health is connected to something deeper: their mystical relationship with God. As Father Maximos says, “You cannot know. It is a mystery that the human mind will never unlock. The only certainty is that spiritual laws are at work. How they operate, only God knows.”

Modern scientific studies suggest that faith and spirituality can strengthen the immune system and reduce the impact of stress on physical health. When religious practice is accompanied by sincere intention and an authentic relationship with the Divine, it can bring deeper peace, resilience, and ultimately, better health.

A Lesson for the Modern World

The example of the monks of Mount Athos shows that health is not only a matter of diet and exercise but also of spiritual balance. In a world full of stress, cultivating inner peace and committing to values such as patience, compassion, and humility may be the most powerful “medicine” for both body and soul.

Source: Article by Elaine Claire Siegfried here