Newsletter Kapa3| June 2026,From survivorship to quality of life — from information to support — from technology to human-centred care.

May was a month of important developments, scientific outreach and service enhancement for Kapa3. From the new European scientific publication of the MELODIC project and educational participation in international networks, to the development of “Myrto”, the creation of a new Psychological Support Team and support through social and corporate initiatives, Kapa3 continues to bring together knowledge, technology, human care and social action.

Our mission remains focused on equal access for cancer patients and their caregivers to information, rights, services and meaningful support.

1. June: Cancer Survivors Month

June is dedicated to people living with and beyond cancer. Survivorship is not only the end of treatment; it is continuity, adaptation, reintegration, psychosocial support, quality of life and the right to care beyond therapy.

▸ EN: https://www.kapa3.gr/en/june-cancer-survivors-month-title-sep-sitename/

2. Kapa3 Introduces Its New Psychological Support Team

On the occasion of Mental Health Awareness Month and Cancer Survivors Month, Kapa3 introduces its new Psychological Support Team: a safe space for listening, support and empowerment for patients, survivors, caregivers and families.

▸ CONTACT US https://www.kapa3.gr/en/kapa3-introduces-its-new-psychological-support-team/

3. New MELODIC Scientific Publication on the Mental Health of Young Adults with Cancer

Mental health is an integral part of cancer care, particularly for young adults facing the complex challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Kapa3 contributes to the new scientific publication of the European MELODIC project, highlighting the educational needs of healthcare professionals.

▸ READ THE ARTICLE

4. Digital Health and Cancer Survivorship: Kapa3 at the INE-CSC 2026 Conference in Coimbra

Kapa3 participated in the INE-CSC 2026 Conference in Coimbra, contributing to the European dialogue on cancer survivorship, supportive care, digital health and participatory solutions that respond to the real needs of patients and caregivers.

▸ READ THE ARTICL Ehttps://www.kapa3.gr/en/participation-in-ca21152-implementation-network-europe-for-cancer-survivorship-care/

5. Co-creating Myrto: A Digital Health and Rights Navigator for Oncology Patients

Myrto is designed as a digital health and rights navigator — a Patient Empowerment e-Navigator — that goes beyond information provision to guide, support and evolve according to users’ real needs.

▸ READ THE ARTICLE https://www.kapa3.gr/en/myrto-health-navigator-oncology-patients-greece/

6. Learning by Doing: Participation in the European Service Learning 2.0: CoLab Programme

Kapa3 participated in the European programme Service Learning 2.0: CoLab, an initiative connecting academic knowledge with meaningful social action and highlighting collaboration between universities, civil society organisations and community actors.

▸ FIND OUT MOREhttps://www.kapa3.gr/en/learning-by-doing-participation-in-the-european-service-learning-2-0-colab-programme/

7. Alpha Bank and Its Employees Support Kapa3 through the Match for Good Initiative

Through the Match for Good initiative, Alpha Bank and its employees supported Kapa3, strengthening our mission to stand alongside people affected by cancer, their families and caregivers.

▸ FIND OUT MORE https://www.kapa3.gr/en/i-alpha-bank-kai-oi-ergazomenoi-tis-stirizoyn-to-kapa3-kai-tin-isotimi-prosvasi-stin-ypostirixi-ton-ogkologikon-asthenon/

8. 6 Awards for Kapa3 at the 4th Vouliagmeni Summer Crossing: Is There Such a Thing as a “Lonely Race”?

Kapa3 took part in the 4th Vouliagmeni Summer Crossing, sharing a strong message of participation, resilience, empowerment and solidarity. Even when a race seems individual, it does not have to be lonely.

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Participation in CA21152 – Implementation Network Europe for Cancer Survivorship Care

Digital Health and Cancer Survivorship: Kapa3 at the INE-CSC 2026 Conference in Coimbra

The Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 participated in the INE-CSC 2026 Conference, part of CA21152 – Implementation Network Europe for Cancer Survivorship Care (INE-CSC), held on 25–26 May 2026 at the Faculty of Medicine (Polo III), University of Coimbra, in Coimbra, Portugal.

The conference was held under the theme “The Next Chapter – Empowering Individuals, Families, and Society for Cancer Survivorship & Supportive Care”, highlighting the need for new approaches to cancer survivorship, supportive care and the translation of innovation into real-world impact for people living with and beyond cancer, their families and society.

Kapa3’s presence in Coimbra represents another important step in its European engagement and in its ongoing effort to connect everyday experience in supporting cancer patients in Greece with European knowledge, research, digital innovation and health policy.

A key highlight was the participation in a round table discussion on facilitators and barriers to the implementation of digital health tools in oncology. The discussion was co-organised by Aristea Kyriaki Ladas and Christos Frantzidis and brought together voices from different European countries and organisations, including representatives from Kapa3, Acreditar Portugal, Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro, ORCO / Madrid Regional Ministry of Health, as well as participants from Poland, Latvia and the United Kingdom.

Among the participants in the round table were Yannis Kontogiorgis and Despoina Pistiolis from Kapa3, Greece, contributing to the European dialogue on digital health, oncology navigation and the participatory development of solutions that respond to the real needs of patients and caregivers.

One of the key messages of the discussion was that digital innovation in oncology is not only a technological challenge. It is also a matter of policy, implementation, equity, trust and accessibility.

For digital tools to make a meaningful difference in cancer care and survivorship, they cannot remain isolated applications or pilot projects. They need to become part of real care pathways, be supported by appropriate policy environments, connect with interdisciplinary practice and be evaluated in terms of effectiveness, implementation readiness, accessibility, equity, sustainability and value.

The discussion also highlighted that digital tools must be designed around the real needs of patients and survivors, not only around technical possibilities. Accessibility across countries, languages, healthcare systems and levels of digital and health literacy must be built in from the beginning.

The role of patient organisations and cancer support communities was also identified as essential. These organisations can act as a bridge between technological innovation and the everyday reality of people affected by cancer. They understand the questions, barriers, fears and needs that are often not fully captured by formal care systems.

For Kapa3, this participation is directly linked to the development of Myrto, its digital health and rights navigator, designed as a tool for empowerment, guidance and support for cancer patients and their caregivers.

Myrto is not approached as a simple information tool. It is being designed as a participatory intervention built around the real needs of people with lived experience of cancer. It is connected to access to rights, social benefits, services, practical guidance and human escalation whenever needed.

The Coimbra experience strengthened the view that digital health must be human-centred, accessible, trustworthy and integrated into a broader ecosystem of care. Technology can meaningfully support cancer care only when it is designed with participation, trust, clear purpose and an equity-oriented approach.

Cancer survivorship is not only about completing treatment. It is about quality of life, mental health, social reintegration, work, family, everyday life, access to services and the feeling that no person is left alone after diagnosis or treatment.

Through its participation in European networks such as INE-CSC, Kapa3 continues to contribute to the dialogue on more equitable, participatory and person-centred cancer care. Care that uses technology without losing sight of the human being at its centre.

The future of cancer support will not depend only on better digital tools, but on better collaboration between patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, technology partners, patient organisations and policymakers.

For Kapa3, this is at the heart of its mission: transforming knowledge into action, technology into support, and the voice of patients into services that respond to their real needs.

More information: INE-CSC – Implementation Network Europe for Cancer Survivorship Care.More information:
https://inecancersurvivorship.com

Kapa3 announces collaboration with SimasiaAI for the development of the Health Navigator “Myrto” (Myrto AI Assistant)

The Kapa3 – Cancer Guidance Center announces its collaboration with SimasiaAI, for the co-development of the Health Navigator “Myrto” (Myrto AI Assistant), an artificial intelligence (AI chatbot) designed to enhance digital cancer support for patients with cancer and their families through immediate, reliable, and personalized information.

This initiative is part of Kapa3’s strategic focus on leveraging innovative digital tools to improve access to information, strengthen guidance, and reduce the digital gap often faced by vulnerable groups in the healthcare sector.

The Health Navigator “Myrto” is not just an information tool, but a new form of social artificial intelligence in cancer care support in Greece. It is designed to transform digital information into a more human, accessible, and meaningful experience, allowing users to interact, receive guidance, and access support tailored to their needs.

Through its dual role as a “Patient Empowerment e-Navigator”, the system will function both as a Patient Advocate—providing guidance on patient rights, benefits, and access to healthcare and social services—and as a Health Navigator, offering reliable information to support better understanding and self-management of health-related issues.

At the same time, the Health Navigator “Myrto” aims to enhance health literacy, support the psychosocial dimension of the disease, and highlight available community resources, contributing to the reduction of inequalities in access to information.

Kapa3, with its long-standing experience in guiding and supporting cancer patients, continues to invest in initiatives that promote equal access to information and digital empowerment, utilizing technology with a strong social and human-centered approach.

The collaboration between Kapa3 and SimasiaAI leads to the development and integration of the Health Navigator “Myrto” into Kapa3’s platform, highlighting the importance of cooperation between social organizations and technology providers in creating innovative digital support tools for cancer patients. Through this initiative, the goal is to meaningfully empower patients, support healthcare professionals, and advance more human-centered digital services.

The development of the Health Navigator “Myrto” marks an important step toward a new model of digital care, where artificial intelligence complements human support, enhancing the quality of life of patients and their families.

The Founding Sponsor of the “Myrto”Health Navigator is the TIMA Foundation.

Our Press Release text here: PRESS RELEASE SIMASIA AI

Text: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Kapa3 at the “Facing the Challenge of Artificial Intelligence” Event

On March 11, 2026, Kapa3 co-founder Evangeli Bista and the organization’s collaborator, Christos Frantzidis, senior lecturer at the School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, attended with keen interest the event “Facing the Challenge of Artificial Intelligence”, organized by diaNEOsis at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Lighthouse, marking 10 years of the organization’s work.

The event highlighted, through presentations and discussions, key topics regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), including: what AI is and the concerns it raises, social impacts and inequalities it may create, ethical and responsible use, effects on work and productivity, and the challenges in legislation and technology regulation.

As Evangeli Bista noted on her social media, AI remains a field full of questions:

What exactly is Artificial Intelligence?
What concerns are emerging around it?

“Technology without thought can reinforce the greatest inequalities,” she emphasized, adding that the conversation on ethical and scientifically informed access to technology remains open. The event offered the chance to see “the next day… through the eyes of those who pioneered it,” such as Joseph Sifakis (Turing Award 2007) and Christos Papadimitriou.

Kapa3’s participation focused on observing, absorbing knowledge, and supporting dialogue around the challenges and opportunities of AI, with particular attention to the social dimension and the inequalities it may create.

By attending this event, Kapa3 continues to demonstrate its commitment to technological developments, the importance of informed and responsible discussion, and understanding the social and ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence.

Kapa3 Participation in the 3rd “Mapping the Unknown in Oncology” Conference

Kapa3 actively participated in the conference “Mapping the Unknown in Oncology – From Hospitals to Homes, mapping the future of oncology care”, organized for its third year by the Medical Society for Research and Education under the auspices of HeSMO (Hellenic Society of Medical Oncologists) and the Hellenic Cancer Society, held on February 27–28, 2026 at the Golden Age Hotel in Athens.

During the events on Saturday, February 28, Ms. Evangelí Bista, Head of Operations and Development at the Kapa3 Cancer Patient Guidance Center, took part in the panel titled “e-Health Tools and Educational Platforms: New Paths for Doctors and Patients.” The panel was moderated by Ms. Z. Saridaki and included panelists G. Koukourakis, S. Peroukidis, F. Tyligadas, and Ch. Christodoulou.

In her presentation, titled “Digital Patient Education: The Patient as an Active Partner,” Ms. Bista highlighted the importance of digital transformation in healthcare, which shifts care from episodic to continuous support, moving healthcare from hospitals into patients’ daily lives and empowering patients to become active participants in managing their health.

In this context, Kapa3 announced that for 2026 it will be the only civil society organization fully integrating AI, cybersecurity, and high-performance computing into its processes and services, implementing:

An AI-powered digital assistant (chatbot) for immediate patient guidance and support
A voice-command system for website accessibility and text-to-speech conversion
Service redesign, simplifying processes and reducing bureaucracy
An AI-based recommendation system with usage data analysis to personalize services

Special emphasis was placed on patient navigation, as oncology patients need guidance: where to go, what they are entitled to, when to be concerned, and when to wait. Kapa3 addresses this gap, providing not just information but meaningful, personalized guidance within the healthcare system.

The goal is not to add another service but to unite existing services. The next evolution of this model is Myrto, the digital assistant that serves as a reference point, translating knowledge into daily action.

Because the future of oncology is not only personalized treatment but also personalized understanding.

Kapa3’s participation underscores the organization’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and ethics, demonstrating how technology can significantly enhance the experience and care of oncology patients.

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Why Horizontal Skills Are More Critical Than Ever

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming clinical decision-making, healthcare professional education, and overall care delivery. Yet a recent international review highlights a crucial point: as AI tools become more integral, horizontal skills (soft skills) such as empathy, communication, critical thinking, and ethical judgment are more important than ever.

These competencies enable healthcare professionals to interpret algorithmic outputs, maintain patient trust, ensure safe care, and integrate technology responsibly into clinical practice. Understanding and fostering these skills is essential for building a healthcare workforce that remains human-centered in an AI-driven era.

The review is authored solely by Effie Simou, Associate Professor of Communication and Media in Public Health at the University of West Attica, and examines the role of horizontal skills in the modern, technology-enhanced healthcare environment. By synthesizing international literature, it analyzes how professional responsibility, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and ethical judgment impact care quality and safety in an era where artificial intelligence plays an ever more active role.

A “Skills Ecosystem” Rather Than a List of Competencies

The review does not treat these skills as isolated capabilities but as an interdependent ecosystem. Communication strengthens trust, empathy improves patient adherence, critical thinking acts as a counterbalance to uncritical acceptance of algorithmic recommendations, while professionalism and ethical vigilance ensure accountability.

The key argument is clear: technological progress does not make horizontal skills less important—it makes them essential. In an environment where algorithms support diagnosis, predict risks, or suggest treatment strategies, healthcare professionals are called upon to interpret, evaluate, and ultimately take responsibility for the decisions made.

Human Judgment Is Not Replaced. It Is Strengthened—and Tested.

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and the Risks of Uncritical Trust in Technology

Particular emphasis is placed on the risks arising from excessive trust in AI systems. The so-called “automation bias” can lead to reduced critical vigilance, while the complexity of algorithms may hinder understanding of how their recommendations are generated.

Large language models and AI tools can also produce inaccurate or incomplete information persuasively. In a clinical setting, such misleading certainty can have serious consequences.

In this context, artificial intelligence in medicine cannot function autonomously; it requires active and critical human oversight. Critical thinking, transparency, and clear responsibility allocation become absolutely necessary. The final decision regarding patient care cannot be delegated to an algorithm. Responsibility remains human—a fundamental principle for the ethics of medical practice.

The Patient Relationship Dimension

Technology can enhance accuracy, accelerate processes, and support the management of large data volumes. However, it cannot replace the therapeutic relationship. Trust, clear communication, active listening, and recognition of patients’ emotional needs are elements that cannot be coded.

Especially in fields like oncology, where decisions are complex and the emotional burden high, the quality of communication can significantly influence treatment adherence, understanding of options, and overall care experience.

The review emphasizes that human presence is not supplementary to technology—it is the axis around which it must be organized.

Toward a Balanced Human–Algorithm Coexistence

The study’s conclusion is clear: health professional education must integrate both technological literacy and systematic development of horizontal skills. Knowing how an AI tool works is not enough; one must be able to critically evaluate it, explain its limitations, and integrate it responsibly into clinical practice.

In an era where algorithms are becoming increasingly “intelligent,” empathy, responsibility, and critical thinking are not secondary skills—they are the core of a medical practice that seeks to remain human, reliable, and safe.

Ultimately, the question is not whether artificial intelligence will be integrated into medicine—it already has been. The real challenge is under what terms it will coexist with the human factor. As technology advances at geometric speed, education must equally invest in skills that cannot be automated: the ability to listen, to question, and to take responsibility.

The challenge for artificial intelligence in medicine is not only technological but deeply pedagogical and ethical. Perhaps the greatest stake is not to create “smarter” systems but more conscious professionals. As algorithms evolve, so does the need for medicine to remain fundamentally human.

Source
The Growing Importance of Soft Skills in Medical Education in the AI Era, MDPI, 2024.
Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2813-141X/4/4/50

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) are transforming oncology, giving patients a greater role in managing their treatment.

Recent studies have shown that using digital tools to collect medical data outside the traditional clinical setting reduces delayed symptom reporting, limits severe side effects, decreases hospitalizations and emergency visits, while improving survival and quality of life for patients.

In practice, this means digital applications allow patients to promptly inform their doctors of any issues, reducing risks and enhancing their daily experience during treatment.

Based on these findings, in 2022, ESMO published guidelines for integrating patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into clinical practice, recommending electronic platforms over paper questionnaires (Ann Oncol. 2022).

Dr. Charles Ferté, Chief Medical & Patient Officer of the Resilience solution, developed in collaboration with the Institut Gustave Roussy in France, highlights that AI can address limitations in using patient reports in oncology. According to him, about 50% of patients’ side effects go unreported, either due to forgotten symptoms or staff workload. Mild but persistent side effects are often overlooked, affecting treatment effectiveness.

The Resilience solution includes an online platform for doctors and nurses to monitor symptoms and receive alerts, and a mobile app for patients to submit real-time data. Data are processed through AI algorithms and transformed into actionable insights for the oncology team, facilitating timely intervention and care optimization. This enables doctors to monitor patients in real time and prevent complications before they become serious.

Additionally, the solution incorporates Natural Language Processing (NLP) to extract data from medical notes and lab results, and a predictive algorithm estimates the risk of severe side effects and unplanned hospitalizations.

Patient engagement is crucial: compliance with weekly questionnaires reaches up to 85%, with many describing the app as a “lifeline” during treatment. Although initially thought to appeal only to younger patients, research shows acceptance spans all ages (JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018; J Geriatr Oncol. 2024).

The solution can also screen large patient populations, identifying those who would benefit from a hybrid care model—digital tools combined with in-person support, such as behavioral and cognitive therapy. Continuous data collection allows RPM to expand to social and behavioral indicators, including isolation, employment, access to care, addictions, physical activity, or food insecurity.

Finally, digital data open new avenues in research: the Resilience database includes over 20,000 patients across 140 hospitals in France, Belgium, Germany, and Spain, enabling real-world data use for more targeted clinical research. In the future, digital phenotyping will allow monitoring of physical and cognitive indicators via mobile sensors like pedometers and gyroscopes, offering a more comprehensive view of the patient experience.

It is clear that cancer care can now rely not only on patient and professional engagement but also on data analysis that uncovers hidden aspects of patients’ daily lives and symptoms.

Kapa3 remains at the forefront of oncology developments, continuously updating on new technologies and practices, actively supporting patients and caregivers, and creating tools and resources that ease daily life. Focused on patient empowerment, Kapa3 bridges scientific knowledge with practical solutions, ensuring everyone feels guided and safe throughout their treatment journey.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

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