Category: Cancer Care

March – Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month

March – Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month

March is internationally recognized as Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells – immune system cells responsible for producing antibodies and defending the body against infections.

This period provides an important opportunity to raise public awareness, highlight the challenges faced by patients, and enhance understanding of the disease, early diagnosis, and the importance of access to modern treatments.

What is Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma develops in the bone marrow, when plasma cells grow uncontrollably and produce abnormal proteins. The presence of these cells can affect the production of healthy blood cells, cause bone damage, and impair the function of vital organs such as the kidneys. Although relatively rare, it is the second most common blood cancer worldwide.

The disease’s symptoms may be initially nonspecific and develop gradually. Fatigue, bone pain – especially in the spine or ribs – frequent infections, anemia, or kidney problems are some of the signs that may prompt further investigation. Early awareness and timely medical evaluation are therefore crucial for diagnosis and disease management.

Multiple Myeloma by the Numbers

Globally, the disease affects a significant number of people. According to international epidemiological data:

  • 188,000 new cases were reported worldwide in 2022

  • Approximately 121,000 people died from the disease the same year

  • It is estimated that more than 540,000 people are currently living with multiple myeloma worldwide

The disease occurs more often in older adults. Most diagnoses occur in people over 60–65 years old, and around 80% of cases are reported in individuals over 65. Experts predict that the disease’s incidence may rise in the coming decades, largely due to the aging population in many countries.

The Situation in Greece

In Greece, the exact epidemiological picture of multiple myeloma is not fully clear, as there is no comprehensive national cancer registry recording all cases systematically.

However, according to available international estimates for 2022:

  • About 763 new multiple myeloma cases were reported in the country

  • Approximately 579 deaths were attributed to the disease

  • It is estimated that around 2,154 people in Greece are living with the disease over a five-year period

These figures highlight the importance of improving health data collection and continuously supporting patients living with the disease.

Advances in Treatments

In recent years, scientific progress has significantly changed the course of the disease.

Modern therapies include:

  • Immunotherapies

  • Monoclonal antibodies

  • Proteasome inhibitors

  • Immunomodulatory drugs

  • CAR‑T cell therapies (for advanced stages of the disease)

New therapeutic combinations and ongoing clinical studies are providing more treatment options, reinforcing hope for even more effective therapies in the future.

The Importance of Awareness and Support

Despite these advancements, public awareness and support for people living with the disease remain crucial. Early diagnosis, access to specialized medical care, and equitable access to modern therapies are key factors in improving disease outcomes and patients’ quality of life.

Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month serves as a reminder that knowledge, research, and collective effort can make a difference. Through education, support for scientific research, and assistance to patients and their families, we can help create an environment where no one faces cancer alone.

Sources:

https://gco.iarc.fr
(Global Cancer Observatory – International Agency for Research on Cancer)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39658225/
(Global burden and projections of multiple myeloma)

https://www.oecd.org/health/cancer-profiles/greece.html
(EU Country Cancer Profile – Greece)

https://ehoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40164-025-00684-x
(Global epidemiology of multiple myeloma)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3627436/
(Multiple myeloma epidemiology study)

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Kapa3 at Athens Digital Health Week 2026 – The Role of Patient Digital Navigators in Healthcare Digital Transformation

As part of Athens Digital Health Week 2026, Kapa3, as a new member of the Hellenic Digital Health Cluster (HDHC), participated in the closed members and partners meeting as well as the panel discussion titled “Synergies to Bridge the Needs of Healthcare Services in Digital Transformation,” presenting the role of patient digital navigators and exploring how digital technologies can strengthen a patient-centered healthcare system.

The discussion focused on a key question: how can available digital solutions effectively address the real needs of the healthcare and social care system?

Special emphasis was placed on the importance of interoperability, evidence-based decision-making, transparency, and comparability, as well as connecting research and governance, promoting equality, and considering the impact of artificial intelligence in the modern healthcare ecosystem.

Kapa3 was represented by Evangeli Bista, who highlighted the critical role of patient organizations in successfully integrating digital technologies into the care journey.

As she noted:

“Digital health is not only about developing technological solutions, but about their meaningful integration into the patient’s care journey. Civil society organizations (patients, caregivers, friends, professionals) can play a crucial role as adoption partners, contributing to design, implementation, and evaluation. Through collaboration within the Cluster, an ecosystem is strengthened where innovation translates into real accessibility and continuity of care with maximum social impact. For the Cancer Patients Guidance Center – Kapa3, developing its role as patient digital navigators can only happen through such synergies.”

The panel also included representatives from Affidea Greece, Gnomon Informatics SA, and REA Maternity & Gynecology Clinic, who contributed their expertise to a productive dialogue on aligning technology, clinical practice, and data governance.

During the closed meeting, the need to strengthen joint research initiatives, interoperability, and systematic collaboration among ecosystem members was emphasized, ensuring that innovation translates into measurable value for both patients and the healthcare system.

For Kapa3, developing its role in the digital health ecosystem as patient digital navigators is a strategic priority. Through such collaborations, patient organizations are empowered to actively contribute to a more transparent, equitable, and truly patient-centered healthcare system, where technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than an end in itself.

Launch of Free MELODIC Training Programme – Greece

We are pleased to announce the launch of the free eight-week online training programme implemented in Greece within the framework of the European project MELODIC, in which Kapa3 participates as one of 13 partner organisations from 6 European countries.

The programme is addressed to doctors, nurses, other health professionals, and social care professionals working in oncology.

MELODIC is an international collaboration aimed at strengthening mental health support for young adults with cancer and their families, promoting high-quality, holistic oncology care.

Through the programme, participants will have the opportunity to develop skills in:

  • Assessing mental health needs using validated and evidence-based tools

  • Supporting families and caregivers

  • Delivering high-quality psychosocial care

  • Interprofessional collaboration

  • Sustaining personal and professional wellbeing

The programme is divided into an asynchronous part (on the Moodle platform), which participants can complete at their own pace, and four contact lessons, constituting the synchronous part via Zoom. Upon completion, participants will receive 5 ECTS credits and a certificate of completion.

Sessions will take place from March to April 2026.

The contribution of health professionals is crucial for the accurate assessment of mental health needs of young adults with cancer and their families, as well as for delivering high-quality, person-centred care. The MELODIC programme strengthens their skills, promoting collaboration, responsibility, and sustainable professional practice in oncology.

For further information, please contact:
Ifiyenia Anastasiou
email: ifi.k3team@gmail.com | phone: 690.62.65.170

Continuing the Journey: Online Group Sessions for Mental Health and Nutrition – Third Cycle with Kapa3 and the LB.H.Sc

Following the warm response to the second cycle of meetings (see the related article here ), focusing on Nutritional Guidance and Experiential Psychological Support, Kapa3 and the Laboratory of Basic Health Sciences (LB.H.Sc), Department of Nursing University of Peloponnese are delighted to continue their collaboration with a third series of online group sessions for mental health and nutrition, dedicated to the holistic care of body and mind, designed for people living with cancer and their caregivers.

In this third cycle, mental health and nutrition are approached as two complementary sides of the same care.

The mental health sessions help participants recognize and manage challenging emotions such as anxiety, fear, sadness, or guilt, strengthen resilience, and cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and others.

The nutrition sessions explore how mindful and balanced eating can support the body, improve energy and mood, and become a meaningful act of self-care. Food is not only a necessity but also a way to nurture the body, mind, and spirit.

Program of Online Sessions for Mental Health and Nutrition & Themes

  • Saturday, February 28, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    Myths and truths about “anti-cancer” diets. How to evaluate nutritional information and avoid risky practices.

  • Saturday, March 14, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    Stress and uncertainty: practical ways to manage them during treatments and exams.

  • Saturday, March 21, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    Giving space to emotions without being overwhelmed: recognizing and expressing fear, anger, sadness, and guilt.

  • Saturday, March 28, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    Nutritional support during treatment & the role of cachexia.

  • Saturday, April 25, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    Boundaries without guilt: protecting energy and mental resilience.

  • Saturday, May 9, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    Safe cooking practices & kitchen hygiene.

  • Saturday, May 23, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    Family and illness: changes in relationships and ways to support each other.

  • Saturday, June 6, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    The Tree of Life: who I am beyond the illness.

  • Saturday, June 13, 2026, 17:30–19:00
    What gives meaning to life now: discovering small but meaningful elements that sustain us.

Format & Participation

The meetings are held online, based on dialogue, experiential learning, and the sharing of personal experiences. Everyone participates at their own pace, in a warm environment of acceptance and trust. Consistent attendance helps build safety and confidence within the group.

To express your interest or join the first session of the third cycle (Saturday, February 28, 17:30–19:00): [Registration Link]

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Cancer is increasingly becoming a highly manageable disease

In the Sunday edition of To Vima newspaper and Vita magazine (25 January 2026), the views of Ms Evangeli Bista, co-founder of Kapa3, were featured, shedding light on the landscape of modern oncology and the challenges emerging within the current Greek healthcare reality.

Ms Bista addressed the Greek context and highlighted the importance of digital technology as a cornerstone of modern health policy, particularly in the field of cancer care, where treatment pathways are complex, long-term, and deeply person-centred. As she noted, Greece has already made measurable progress: electronic and paperless prescribing, oncology registries, the National Electronic Health Record, and applications such as MyHealthApp are creating the conditions for more coordinated and transparent care. When healthcare professionals, as well as patients themselves, are equipped with appropriate digital skills, patient autonomy is strengthened, treatment outcomes improve, and inequalities—especially those affecting vulnerable population groups—are reduced.

The article is co-authored by distinguished scientists and collaborators: Maria Gazouli, Professor of Biology, Genetics and Nanomedicine at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and national representative on the Committee for Advanced Therapies of the European Medicines Agency; Manolis Saloustros, Associate Professor of Oncology at the University of Thessaly and President of the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HESMO); and Christos Frantzidis, Assistant Professor of Informatics and Machine Learning at the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom.

The contributing experts underline that modern oncology increasingly approaches cancer as a largely manageable chronic disease, through targeted and personalised therapies. The use of innovative technologies—such as next-generation sequencing, mRNA vaccines, PARP inhibitors and cellular therapies—has significantly expanded therapeutic options. At the same time, prognosis is becoming more dynamic and individualised through the use of multi-omics profiling, machine learning algorithms and liquid biopsy techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on the early integration of palliative care and psychosocial support, which play a crucial role in improving patients’ quality of life. Finally, the importance of structured and coordinated healthcare services is highlighted, with the medical oncologist acting as a key coordinator of person-centred care.

Beyond documenting technological advances, the article opens a broader discussion on the digital transition in oncology care, addressing issues of access, meaningful use of data and the need for coordination across different scientific disciplines. Digital health is presented not as an end in itself, but as a tool that requires collaboration, institutional maturity and a shared vision in order to deliver real value to patients.

The overarching message is clear: every step, whether small or large, matters. Progress in oncology is not the result of isolated actions, but of collective effort. Through collaboration among scientists, healthcare professionals, organisations and patients, the conditions for meaningful and sustainable change can be created—always with the human being and their real needs at the centre.

Text / Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

The MELODIC Consortium met in Athens to promote the mental health of young adults with cancer

We were delighted to welcome the European partners of the MELODIC Consortium in Athens, during the two-day consortium meeting held on 19–20 January 2026, at the facilities of the School of Public Health, University of West Attica (UNIWA).

Representatives from all participating countries – Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Ireland – attended in person, while there was also significant active online participation. The excellent organization and warm hospitality created a collaborative and open communication environment, boosting optimism around the successful progress of the project.

On the first day, discussions focused on the progress of WP2 and WP3, including publication planning, needs assessment, and the development of the educational curriculum for healthcare professionals, aiming to support the mental well-being of young adults with cancer experience and their families.

In this context, the importance of approaches linking physical activity, natural environments, and mental health was highlighted, recognizing nature as a space for recovery and meaningful experiences for young people who have undergone demanding treatments.

During the short breaks, participants had the opportunity to meet and exchange views on the challenges and best practices in the field of mental health for young adults with cancer.

Later in the afternoon, participants enjoyed a lovely dinner at Iamvos Restaurant, located in the historic neoclassical building “Kostis Palamas” of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged networking and human interaction.

On the second day, the work continued with the further development and evaluation of the MELODIC intervention (WP4), with particular emphasis on the blue and green spaces as a key component of its design, followed by discussions on the communication, dissemination, and sustainability strategy (WP5), as well as project management and quality assurance (WP1).

Partners actively participated, exchanging knowledge and experiences, and planning the next steps of the collaboration, while later braving the chilly weather for the optional visit to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, where they admired the National Library, the National Opera, and the blue and green spaces of the foundation, combining nature with inspiration.

Kapa3’s participation in the MELODIC Consortium ensures that the voices of young adults with cancer experience and their families are considered at every stage of the project.

We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with our European partners, preparing the next phase of the project and disseminating its results, aiming to enhance the mental health and overall well-being of young adults with cancer across Europe.

More information about the project can be found here.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

International Universal Health Coverage Day – December 12

International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is observed every year on December 12 to remind us that access to quality, affordable healthcare is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of just and sustainable societies. The United Nations established this day to strengthen global commitment so that all people, everywhere, can access the health services they need without financial hardship. (WHO)

Statistics

Universal health coverage is not just a goal. It is a central element of the United Nations  Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Despite progress in recent decades, the reality remains challenging. Approximately 4.6 billion people worldwide still lack access to essential health services. At the same time, 2.1 billion face financial hardship in accessing care. Finally 1.6 billion pushed into poverty due to health expenditures.

These statistics demonstrate that universal coverage remains far from fully achieved, with significant inequalities between countries and within societies: poorer populations, rural residents, people with lower education, and other vulnerable groups face much greater barriers to healthcare. (WHO – World Bank Report)

Situation in Greece

In Greece, although universal coverage exists in principle through the National Health System, access to care is not always equitable or complete. Only a small percentage of citizens report high satisfaction with service availability, while around 12.1% of people have unmet healthcare needs, a rate significantly higher than the OECD average. (OECD)

Out-of-pocket healthcare expenses particularly affect lower-income households. Nearly nearly 10% of households facing catastrophic health spending, forcing families to sacrifice essentials such as food or housing. (WHO – Health Care Greece)

These inequalities are not just numbers—they have real consequences for quality of life. For cancer patients, universal coverage means timely diagnosis, access to treatments, continuous monitoring, psychosocial support, and palliative care. Lack of comprehensive, accessible care can worsen disease outcomes and increase psychological and financial burden for patients and their families.

At Kapa3, we strive to ensure that no cancer patient or their loved ones feel alone. Through educational initiatives, experiential programs, psychosocial support, and guidance materials, we advocate for healthcare access that respects human dignity, life, and real needs.

Universal Health Coverage Day is not just a date—it is a call to action for broader access, reduced inequalities, and genuine support for all. Together, we can make meaningful change.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

KAPA3 at the 18th Panhellenic Congress of Nutrition & Dietetics

The 18th Panhellenic Congress of Nutrition & Dietetics took place at the Athens Concert Hall from 4–6 December 2025, bringing together scientists and professionals to discuss the latest developments in nutrition under the central theme “Bridging Research and Practice.”

The Congress covered topics ranging from alternative proteins to eating disorders, through lectures, workshops, and roundtable discussions.

During the session “Co-Creating Health: Participatory Research with Cancer Patients on Nutrition and Mental Resilience”, held on Friday, 5 December in Hall MC3, participants included Andrea Paola Rojas Gil, Associate Professor of Biology – Biochemistry and Director of the Laboratory of Basic Health Sciences at the University of Peloponnese, a close KAPA3 collaborator in the field of nutrition, with the topic “Nutrition as a Tool to Support Treatment and Wellbeing: Comparison of Co-Design Programs for Oncology Patients in Greece and Colombia”; Evagelia Bista on behalf of KAPA3 with “Nutrition as a Social Determinant of Health: Inequalities, Education, Environment and Policies”; and Ioanna Sideri with “Mental Health and Strategies for Empowerment and Resilience”.

Nutrition as a Social Determinant of Health

Evagelia Bista emphasized that nutrition is not merely a personal choice but one of the most critical social determinants of health, directly affecting the prevention, progression, and quality of life of oncology patients. Nearly half of people worldwide lack access to healthy food, and socio-economic inequalities determine who can follow a nutritious diet. Greece is no exception: the economic crisis, the high cost of healthy foods, and the turn towards cheap, highly processed options have worsened the situation.

Key points highlighted in the presentation included:

  • Income, education level, and food availability determine dietary quality, with low-income households experiencing higher rates of obesity and chronic diseases.

  • A shift from the Mediterranean diet towards Western-style options due to economic and social factors.

  • A double burden for vulnerable populations: undernutrition and obesity coexist, particularly affecting those facing food insecurity.

  • Impacts on oncology patients: adequate nutrition is crucial for treatment tolerance, recovery, and quality of life, yet many patients face financial and treatment-related barriers.

Ms. Bista presented KAPA3’s actions with a focus on nutritional support and the participatory approach applied in online Experiential Sessions, conducted in collaboration with the University of Peloponnese. These sessions continue a series dedicated to holistic care for body and mind, emphasizing both nutrition and mental health for oncology patients and their caregivers.

KAPA3 underlines that nutrition cannot be seen as an individual behavior alone but as the result of social, economic, and environmental factors. Reducing inequalities and ensuring access to healthy food for all is essential for better health outcomes, especially in oncology care.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

GD2: A Critical Biomarker and Therapeutic Target – What the Latest Evidence Shows

New scientific data highlight GD2 — a glycolipid biomarker expressed in specific cancer cells — as one of the most promising therapeutic targets in modern oncology. A recent review published in an international scientific journal brings together the latest findings on the use of GD2 in immunotherapies, CAR-T cell treatments, monoclonal antibodies, and other innovative approaches.

What is GD2 and why does it matter?

GD2 is a molecule known as disialoganglioside-2, found in high concentrations on the surface of certain cancer cells. This makes it particularly valuable as a target for personalized immunotherapies, as treatments can “recognize” and destroy GD2-positive cells while sparing healthy tissues.

Cancers with high GD2 expression include:
• Neuroblastoma
• Osteosarcoma
• Melanoma
• Breast cancer (triple-negative in some cases)
• Certain lung cancers
• Rare pediatric tumors

In neuroblastoma — one of the most common pediatric cancers — GD2-directed antibody therapy has already improved survival in high-risk patients.

The new scientific review maps the current progress in GD2-targeted therapies, highlighting the technologies showing the strongest clinical potential. GD2-directed monoclonal antibodies, already effective in children with neuroblastoma, are evolving into more precise and safer versions, aiming to expand their use in adult tumors as well. The review also presents updated data from clinical trials of GD2-directed CAR-T cells: despite challenges such as toxicity, tumor escape, and limited persistence, newer CAR-T generations demonstrate improved safety, deeper penetration into solid tumors, and especially promising outcomes in pediatric patients.

The review further examines combination immunotherapies that pair GD2 targeting with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or immune checkpoint inhibitors, offering enhanced effectiveness against resistant tumors. Finally, emerging platforms are described — including bispecific antibodies, “smart” nanoparticle-based strategies, and drug-delivery technologies that target only GD2-positive cells — expanding the therapeutic landscape and opening new avenues for future applications.

What does this mean for patients?

GD2-targeted therapy is no longer theoretical — it is already a reality in certain pediatric cancers and is rapidly expanding into other tumor types.

Key benefits for patients include:
• greater precision with reduced toxicity
• the potential for highly individualized treatment based on tumor profile
• new hope for tumors that remain difficult to treat with existing methods
• improved survival prospects, especially for children

For pediatric and young adult patients — a group with historically limited and often highly burdensome treatment options — GD2-directed therapies represent a significant step forward.

Despite the important progress made, several challenges remain. These include side effects such as neuropathic pain, tumor resistance or escape from targeting, the high cost and limited availability of advanced treatments, and the need for large, multi-center clinical trials to produce more robust and generalizable data. Still, research activity is intensifying, with dozens of clinical studies currently ongoing worldwide.

Within this evolving landscape, Kapa3 remains committed to providing accurate, accessible, and compassionate information to patients and families, particularly those facing severe, rare, or pediatric cancers. Advances in GD2-targeted therapies are opening new pathways for children and young people with limited options today , showcasing the power and potential of immunotherapy. At the same time, they highlight the urgent need for equitable access to innovative treatments for patients in Greece.

Kapa3 will continue to follow scientific developments closely and keep the community informed in a clear, reliable, and human-centered way.

Sources: Here

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

World AIDS Day — December 1

World AIDS Day is a powerful reminder that the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over. Despite remarkable progress in recent decades, millions of people worldwide are still living with the virus. At the same time, inequalities in access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment continue to cost lives.

Established in 1988 as the first international health-related awareness day, World AIDS Day has since served as a global call for informed action, early diagnosis, destigmatization and equitable care.

What We Know Today About HIV/AIDS

According to recent UNAIDS data, more than 39 million people are living with HIV globally — and thanks to modern treatments, they can live full and healthy lives.

The science is encouraging. Antiretroviral therapy (ART/ARVs) allows people on treatment to reach undetectable viral loads, which means they cannot transmit the virus (“Undetectable = Untransmittable”).

Yet despite this progress, new infections still occur — mainly in communities facing social exclusion, economic hardship, or limited access to healthcare services. At the same time, lack of information and persistent stigma remain major barriers that delay testing and treatment.

HIV & Cancer: An Important Connection

The link between HIV and several forms of cancer isn’t widely known, yet it is significant:

  • People living with HIV have a higher risk of cervical cancer due to the more persistent presence of HPV.
  • Increased risk is also observed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma and several cancers associated with chronic viral infections.
  • Early diagnosis, continuous treatment and regular screening significantly reduce these risks.

At Kapa3, we have published articles on the importance of screening and patient empowerment, which you can find here: Article1, Article2, Article3, Article4, Article5.

The Situation in Greece

Greece has made important progress in recent years, thanks to the operation of Checkpoints, the support of NGOs and prevention structures, the spread of PrEP, and improved access to treatment.

In 2024, Greece recorded a small decrease (4%) in new HIV diagnoses compared to 2023, according to the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY). However, underdiagnosis remains a real concern. Many people avoid timely testing due to stigma and fear of discrimination.

Prevention: What Each of Us Can Do

  • Testing: a simple test can save lives.
  • Condom use & comprehensive sexual education.
  • PrEP & PEP: modern and effective prevention tools.
  • Eliminating stigma: information and open dialogue remain our strongest forms of protection.
  • Supporting facilities that provide access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
A Human Rights Issue

At Kapa3, we believe World AIDS Day concerns all of us. Access to healthcare is a fundamental right. No one should be afraid to get tested, speak openly or seek support.

According to International Human Rights Law, discrimination based on HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, health status (including substance use), or sex work constitutes a violation of human rights.

World AIDS Day reminds us that knowledge, prevention and solidarity save lives — and that a world without new HIV infections is possible.

Sources

  • UNAIDS
  • HIV.gov
  • AIDS Healthcare Foundation
  • EODY (Hellenic National Public Health Organization)

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3