Cancer screening Archives

World Cancer Day: United by Our Uniqueness

Every year on 4 February, World Cancer Day invites us to reflect on one of the greatest challenges of modern public health.

The goal is not only to confront cancer as a disease, but to face it with knowledge, empathy and shared responsibility. Because cancer touches millions of lives in countless ways, yet it does not define who we are. We are more than a diagnosis, more than a number.

World Cancer Day was established in 2000, following the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. It is a core element of the Paris Charter Against Cancer — a global commitment to advancing research, prevention, patient care, awareness and international mobilisation. Since then, the day has served as a reminder that addressing cancer requires long-term vision, cooperation and consistency.

This year’s message, “United by Unique”, highlights a fundamental truth: cancer is not only a medical event.

It is a deeply personal experience. Behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story — stories of fear and loss, but also of resilience, care, love and healing. Every story counts.

Cancer Today: Facts and Challenges

Cancer remains one of the most significant public health challenges in Europe and in Greece. Data from international and European organisations underline not only the scale of the disease, but also the persistent inequalities in prevention, early detection and access to care.

In Europe, approximately 2.7 million new cancer diagnoses are recorded each year, with around 1.3 million deaths, while the economic burden exceeds €93 billion annually. In Greece, cancer is the second leading cause of death, affecting thousands of families and carrying profound social and psychological consequences.

Progress, Prevention and Hope

At the same time, scientific progress offers well-founded reasons for optimism.

Prevention and early detection remain decisive factors. Screening programmes, vaccination, healthy lifestyle choices and access to reliable information can significantly reduce the risk of certain cancers and improve treatment outcomes. In this context, knowledge is not merely information — it is power and a fundamental right.

Advances in cancer management are equally important. Personalised medicine, targeted therapies, immunotherapy and improved management of treatment side effects contribute not only to increased survival rates, but also to a better quality of life for people living with and beyond cancer. Information and education are key tools for both prevention and empowerment.

Mental health plays a crucial role as well. Diagnosis and treatment are often accompanied by anxiety, fear, sadness and emotional exhaustion — affecting not only patients, but also their caregivers. Psychosocial support, counselling services and empowerment groups are essential components of holistic cancer care, helping to preserve dignity and quality of life.

Information, research and mental health care are core pillars of modern cancer management. Indicatively, you may explore the following Kapa3 articles:

Empowerment and Action

World Cancer Day is not just a day of awareness. It is a call to action:

to speak openly about prevention and our health,
to support people living with cancer and their caregivers,
to seek reliable information and evidence-based sources,
to advocate for equal access to care and psychological support,
to remember that no one should face cancer alone.

Because our strength lies in solidarity — and in respecting the uniqueness of every individual.

United by our uniqueness.

References:

World Health Organization (WHO) – Cancer
https://www.who.int/health-topics/cancer

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
https://www.iarc.who.int

Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) – World Cancer Day
https://www.worldcancerday.org

European Commission – Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
https://health.ec.europa.eu/eu-policy/health-strategies/europes-beating-cancer-plan_en

European Cancer Information System (ECIS)
https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu

Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) – Health Data
https://www.statistics.gr/en/statistics/-/publication/SHE15/

Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY) – Cancer & Public Health
https://eody.gov.gr/

Greek Ministry of Health – Prevention & Screening
https://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/prevention-screening

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

2025 – Moving Forward with Vision

The Kapa3 Annual Review 2025 reflects a year of determination and vision, as Kapa3 strengthened its impact through initiatives and collaborations focused on holistic cancer care.During the first half of the year alone, we managed more than 400 individual requests, with support for the process of Disability Certification standing out as a key service—confirming that personalized, hands-on support remains at the core of our mission.

A milestone moment in 2025 was Kapa3’s participation, alongside 13 European partners, in the EU4Health programme MELODIC, which focuses on improving mental health support for young adult cancer patients (18–39 years old). Through research mapping the training needs of healthcare professionals, the project highlights the urgent need for better detection and management of psychological distress among young patients—many of whom still lack access to adequate psychosocial care.

MELODIC promotes innovative wellbeing interventions, such as physical activity in green and blue spaces combined with psychosocial support, emphasizing the healing power of nature and community in mental health recovery. As an active partner, Kapa3 works to ensure that these actions reach patients directly, fostering community engagement and equitable access to quality care.

At the same time, our participation in the second cycle of the SmartHEALTH programme, supported by CERTH, strengthened the digital integration of healthcare services and empowered patients through smart technologies, improving efficiency, accessibility, and transparency.

Our collaboration with FairLife within the BREATH programme for lung cancer patients highlighted the importance of holistic and interdisciplinary care. In parallel, our presence at conferences and scientific events—such as COST Action INECSC CA21125 and the 7th conference “Caregivers and Depression”—consistently brought attention to the needs of caregivers and the empowerment of patients.

At both national and international levels, Kapa3 presented its work at the Lazord International Conference, the Pan-Macedonian Scientific Nursing Conference, and the ESMO World Congress in Berlin. We also participated in major events such as the Patients Summit, Morning Health Talks by EIT Health, and the 18th Panhellenic Conference on Nutrition & Dietetics.

A particularly important moment was our action in the Municipality of Megara, where a new Cancer Patient Guidance and Counselling Station was established, offering direct and personalized support to patients and their families.

Prevention and awareness remain fundamental pillars of our work. Breast self-examination initiatives, participation in the Action4Obesity network, presence at the Thessaloniki Disability Festival, and the launch of new nutrition-related sections on our website all contribute to improving the quality of life of patients and caregivers—combining scientific guidance with lived experience.

Awards 2025

In 2025, Kapa3 received significant recognition for the digital platform Cancer Care Connect, winning a Gold Award at the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards, as well as the Gold Award for “NGO of the Year – Health and Social Care” at the Hellenic Responsible Business Awards 2025.
In addition, our collaboration with the University of Peloponnese received a Silver Award at the Healthcare Business Awards 2025 for the programme “Community co-design and implementation of holistic educational practices for nutrition and mental health.”

Every initiative, every partnership, and every participation brings us closer to our vision: holistic, human-centred care where the voices of patients and caregivers truly matter.

To explore our full journey from the foundation of Kapa3 through the end of 2025, you can view our comprehensive activity report here.

The Kapa3 Annual Review 2025 reaffirms our commitment to holistic, human-centred care, where the voices of patients and caregivers truly matter.

As we step into the new year, we move forward with enthusiasm, commitment, and optimism—to continue supporting patients and caregivers, investing in innovation and education, and strengthening care and participation across all our actions.

We wish everyone a year filled with health, strength, and inspiration.

The Kapa3 Team

World Pancreatic Cancer Day – 13 November

Every November, World Pancreatic Cancer Day reminds us that behind every statistic there is a life—a life often challenged by one of the most silent yet aggressive forms of cancer.

According to the latest data from the World Health Organization and GLOBOCAN 2022, pancreatic cancer accounts for over 510,000 new cases and 467,000 deaths every year globally.
In Greece, the disease now ranks among the top five cancers in women and the top seven in men, with incidence steadily increasing in recent decades.

Early detection remains a major challenge, as symptoms—such as persistent abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, or jaundice—often emerge only in advanced stages. Yet prevention can make a difference: avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and having regular medical check‑ups are all key steps in protecting pancreatic health.

The disease may also present with digestive changes or the sudden onset of diabetes without obvious cause—signals that warrant prompt attention.

Today is not just about raising awareness—it’s also about supporting patients and their families. With more knowledge, open communication with doctors, and access to specialized care, we can make a difference.

At KAPA3, we join the global community to emphasise that every story matters, and that prevention and early diagnosis can save lives.

Sources:

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for KAPA3

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.