The webinar “Cancer, Patient Navigation & Health Management: From Prevention to Life Coordination” was successfully completed, presenting contemporary challenges and practices in holistic oncology care, patient navigation, and patients’ digital literacy.
The online educational initiative, organized by René Descartes College in collaboration with the Kapa3 Cancer Patient Guidance Center, highlighted the importance of a human-centered approach to cancer, patient navigation, digital innovation, and the enhancement of patients’ digital literacy, combining scientific knowledge with practical support at every stage of the disease.
Holistic cancer care integrates scientific knowledge with practical support at all stages of the disease, enhancing patient engagement and quality of life.
During the webinar, the speakers shared valuable insights and experiences:
Maria Gazouli, PhD – Professor of Biology-Genetics-Nanomedicine:
She emphasized that cancer is a chronic, multifactorial disease where quality of life is as important as survival. The holistic approach treats the person as a whole—physically, psychologically, socially, and environmentally—and requires an interdisciplinary team with active patient participation in every decision. She highlighted the importance of personalized medicine and the role of family support.
Dr. Christos A. Frantzidis – Assistant Professor, University of Lincoln:
He presented CREATE, a comprehensive digital system that transforms patients’ daily experiences into valuable knowledge for clinicians, supporting timely interventions and personalized care. He stressed that artificial intelligence does not replace humans but assists clinicians in safe decision-making, reduces workload, and improves patients’ quality of life.
Dr. Maria Lavdaniti, PhD – Professor of Clinical Nursing, International Hellenic University (IHU):
She underscored the critical role of the oncology nurse in administering therapies, managing symptoms, and providing psychosocial support to patients and their families. She emphasized the importance of continuous patient education, managing long-term side effects, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve quality of life.
Dr. Vasiliki Kapaki – Professor of Health Economics, René Descartes College:
She highlighted the role of technology in oncology, from prevention and screening to treatment and post-therapy care. She stressed that digital literacy is a prerequisite for health equity, enabling patients to understand risks, participate in decision-making, and safely follow their therapeutic pathways.
Evangelia Bista, PhD, Co-Founder of Kapa3:
She presented the work and mission of Kapa3, which supports over 7,000 families and 1,500 patients in Greece, offering guidance, information on patients’ rights, psychological support, and personalized digital tools. Her presentation included the main pillars of Kapa3’s work—website, request management, educational programs—as well as the organization’s 2026 action plans, such as Wellness in Motion, Cancer Wellness Open House Day, and digital innovations with AI and personalized service systems.
Ms. Bista highlighted that upgraded digital services with AI tools, such as Myrto, the first digital assistant/chatbot in Greece, part of Kapa3’s 2026 projects, will enable personalized services based on patient profiles, streamline processes, and reduce bureaucracy. It is clear that, combined with human guidance, the development of digital literacy is a key tool for equitable access, quality of life, and active patient engagement throughout the disease.
The webinar concluded with an open discussion and Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to interact with the speakers and exchange experiences. The initiative emphasized that technology and digital literacy do not replace humans but enhance guidance, safety, and equity in care, while holistic care remains at the center of every initiative.
We sincerely thank René Descartes College for hosting and flawlessly organizing the event, as well as all the outstanding speakers for sharing their knowledge and inspiration with the audience.
You can find some screenshots from the webinar below:
You can find the Press Release file here
