Category: Patient Advocacy

June: Cancer Survivors Month

Survival is a victory — but care must continue

June is dedicated to people living with and beyond cancer. It is a month of recognition, hope and respect for every person who has faced a cancer diagnosis, completed treatment, continues treatment, or lives with cancer as a long-term condition.

Cancer survival is a major victory. However, for many people, it is not the end of the story. Life after cancer often brings a new reality: follow-up appointments, fear of recurrence, fatigue, emotional distress, changes in body image, work-related challenges, financial pressure, family adjustments and the need to rebuild everyday life with confidence and dignity.

Cancer Survivors Month reminds us that survivorship is not only about living longer. It is also about living better.

A cancer survivor is not only a person who has completed treatment and is disease-free. The term also includes people receiving maintenance treatment, people living with cancer as a chronic condition, and those who continue to experience the physical, emotional, social or economic consequences of the disease and its treatment.

In recent years, advances in early diagnosis, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and supportive care have increased the number of people living many years after a cancer diagnosis. This is a major achievement for medicine, research and public health. At the same time, it creates a new responsibility: to ensure that survivorship care is organised, person-centred and accessible to all.

For many survivors, the end of active treatment is a moment of relief and gratitude. Yet it may also bring uncertainty. Some people feel that everyone around them expects them to “go back to normal”, while they are still trying to understand what has changed in their body, their emotions, their relationships and their daily life.

The fear of recurrence, anxiety before follow-up tests, persistent fatigue, pain, cognitive difficulties, changes in sexuality, emotional vulnerability and social isolation are real experiences for many people after cancer. These needs should not be underestimated. Survivors need space to speak, reliable information, access to professional support when needed, and connection with communities and organisations that understand their journey.

Long-term follow-up is also essential. Survivorship care should not focus only on recurrence. It should also include prevention, early recognition of late effects, management of treatment-related complications, support for mental health, healthy lifestyle guidance and personalised monitoring according to each person’s cancer type, treatment history, age and individual risk factors.

The message is not fear. The message is awareness, prevention and continuity of care.

Life after cancer is also about rights. It is about returning to work, accessing social benefits, understanding available services, managing financial toxicity, supporting caregivers, protecting dignity and ensuring equal access to care. Survivorship must be seen as a social, psychological and practical issue — not only a medical one.

At Kapa3, we see every day that cancer does not always end with the last treatment. It continues in the questions people ask about their rights, their next steps, their follow-up, their access to benefits, psychological support, work, family life and social reintegration.

This is why people living with and beyond cancer need holistic support. They need information, guidance, psychosocial care, access to rights and services, empowerment and continuity of care. No one should feel alone after treatment. No one should be left to navigate bureaucracy, uncertainty or lack of information without support.

Cancer Survivors Month invites us to change the way we talk about survival. We should not ask only: “Did the person survive cancer?” We should also ask:

Are they living with quality of life?
Do they have access to the care they need?
Do they know their rights?
Do they receive psychological and social support?
Can they return to work and daily life with dignity?
Is there a follow-up plan?
Is there someone to guide them when they do not know where to turn?

Cancer survival is a victory. But the real challenge is to turn this victory into a life with quality, safety, rights, support and hope.

At Kapa3, we continue to stand beside every person living with and beyond cancer. Through information, guidance, empowerment and human-centred support, we believe that care does not stop at treatment.

It continues in life.

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

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

The Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 warmly thanks Alpha Bank and its employees for their meaningful support through the Match for Good initiative, through which Alpha Bank doubled the contribution of its employees.

Through this initiative, six non-profit organisations from across Greece received financial support during a special event held at Alpha Bank’s headquarters, in the presence of representatives of the organisations. The event was hosted by the Chairman of Alpha Bank’s Board of Directors, Mr. Dimitris Tsitsiragos, and the Chief Human Resources Officer, Ms. Fragiski Melissa.

Mr. Dimitris Tsitsiragos highlighted that the Match for Good initiative puts into practice Alpha Bank’s commitment to consistently support organisations that create a positive social impact. He underlined that when the individual contribution of employees is combined with the Bank’s support, it becomes a collective force with tangible results.

Ms. Fragiski Melissa noted that Match for Good reflects the Bank’s new culture in practice, giving employees an active role in selecting, participating in and supporting initiatives with social value.

Kapa3 was represented by Ms. Evangeli Bista, co-founder of the Organisation, and Ms. Despoina Chrysostomidou, collaborating psychologist. During the event, they had the opportunity to present Kapa3’s work and discuss the social impact that can be created when corporate responsibility meets the active participation of employees.

For all of us at Kapa3, this support is particularly meaningful. It strengthens our daily effort to stand beside people with lived experience of cancer, as well as their families and caregivers, offering guidance, information, support in accessing rights and services, and practical empowerment tools.

Kapa3 acts as a navigation and support organisation for cancer patients, bridging the gap between need and information, between rights and real access. For many people, especially those living outside major urban centres, the challenge is not only the disease itself. It is uncertainty, bureaucracy, lack of information about available rights, financial burden, transportation difficulties, psychosocial pressure and the need for a reliable companion.

Through initiatives like this, social contribution gains multiplying power and becomes real support for those who need it. The support of Alpha Bank and its employees strengthens Kapa3’s mission: ensuring that no person is left alone when facing cancer, searching for information, navigating procedures or claiming a right they are entitled to.

Health is not only a medical act. It is access, information, dignity, social care and meaningful presence. Every contribution to Kapa3 becomes more guidance, more information, more empowerment and more care for people and families going through a difficult and demanding journey.

We warmly thank Alpha Bank and its employees for their trust, choice and support of Kapa3’s work.

Because when giving becomes collective, it can meaningfully change people’s everyday lives.

 

 

20260310 Match For Good Programme Part2 Alpha Bank Via Solid Havas / Thalia Galanopoulou
20260310 Match For Good Programme Part2 Alpha Bank Via Solid Havas / Thalia Galanopoulou

Match for Good – Alpha Bank (1)

January – Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

January is internationally dedicated to raising awareness about cervical cancer. Known as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, it aims to highlight the importance of prevention, early detection, and vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is responsible for nearly all cases of the disease.

Cervical cancer remains a major public health issue worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 660,000 new cases are diagnosed globally each year, and more than 350,000 women lose their lives to the disease. It is among the most common cancers affecting women, particularly in regions where access to preventive screening and vaccination is limited. At the same time, it is one of the few cancers that can largely be prevented through organized prevention and early detection programmes.

In Greece, available data indicate that around 700 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually, while more than 280 deaths are attributed to the disease each year. The estimated incidence is approximately 8 cases per 100,000 women. Although this places Greece close to the European average, it also highlights the need for further improvement in prevention and early diagnosis.

Cervical cancer is closely linked to chronic infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus transmitted mainly through sexual contact.

HPV vaccination, combined with regular gynaecological screening through Pap tests and HPV tests, can significantly reduce the development of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. In this context, the World Health Organization has set the goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, through high vaccination coverage, universal screening, and timely treatment.

January serves as an important reminder that information and prevention save lives. Open discussion around women’s health, free from fear and stigma, empowers women to take care of themselves and to claim prevention as a fundamental right.

Special emphasis should be placed on the systematic education of younger generations, as prevention begins long before any symptoms appear. Access to reliable information, preventive screening services, and vaccination programmes is a key factor in reducing health inequalities and protecting future generations.

At KAPA3, we believe that information and prevention are core pillars of care and empowerment. Through the dissemination of reliable information and the support of initiatives that promote public health, we stand alongside every woman who needs knowledge, prevention, and timely care.

Because cervical cancer can be prevented, we encourage everyone to take action. Give a meaningful gift to the women you care about: daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, partners, spouses. Talk openly about women’s health, share information, support initiatives, challenge taboos, and promote early diagnostic screening.

Information and open dialogue are the strongest tools we have.

Sources:

World Health Organization (WHO)
Cervical cancer – Fact sheet

WHO – Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC / WHO)
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

ICO / IARC HPV Information Centre – Greece Factsheet

Ministry of Health – National Immunization Programme

Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY)
HPV and cervical cancer

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

International Migrants Day – 18 December

Health without borders: equal access to care as a human right

International Migrants Day is observed every year on 18 December, marking the date in 1990 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The day is not only about population movement, but about fundamental rights, dignity, and—above all—equitable access to health care for all, regardless of origin or legal status.

Global Statistics

Globally, more than 281 million people currently live outside their country of birth, representing approximately 3.6% of the world’s population (International Organization for Migration – World Migration Report).

Migrants and refugees consistently face health inequalities driven by barriers such as language, limited health literacy, insecure housing and employment, and fear of exclusion from health systems. According to the World Health Organization, social determinants of health play a decisive role in access to prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, resulting in poorer health outcomes for migrant populations.

These inequalities are further compounded among particularly vulnerable groups, including children and young people, women, and individuals without stable legal status. In cases of serious or chronic illness—such as cancer—delayed diagnosis, interruptions in treatment and lack of psychosocial support can have a profound impact on disease outcomes and quality of life.

Situation in Greece

Within the Greek context, the country continues to serve as both a host and transit point for migrants and refugees. According to data from Eurostat and the Hellenic Statistical Authority, a significant proportion of the population residing in Greece consists of third-country nationals, while access to comprehensive health services remains uneven, particularly for young people and individuals with increased care needs. Despite existing legal provisions, practical barriers persist in prevention, continuity of care and psychosocial support.

In oncology, these challenges become even more pronounced. Cancer does not discriminate, yet access to care is often shaped by social and economic factors. The need for culturally sensitive, accessible and continuous health services is critical to ensure that no person is left unsupported when facing a cancer diagnosis.

In this context, Kapa3 has long worked to highlight social inequalities in health and to promote holistic cancer care for all people, regardless of background. In 2024, a targeted support initiative for refugees and migrants living with cancer was implemented through the programme “Cancer May Control your Body for a While, But Not Your Soul”, with the support of the King Baudouin Foundation.

The action focused on the regions of Macedonia and Thrace, addressing refugees and migrants in the area, with particular emphasis on the 15–24 age group, aiming to provide immediate primary care assistance and continuous support throughout the course of their treatment.

International Migrants Day is a reminder that health is a human right, not a privilege. Ensuring equitable access to care—especially for those most at risk—is a shared responsibility of institutions, health professionals and society as a whole.

A fair and healthy society is one that leaves no one behind.

Sources:

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

Giving Voice to People with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) in Greece

Promitheas launches MyPBCVoice, an innovative initiative aimed at empowering and supporting people with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) in Greece. PBC is a rare, chronic autoimmune liver disease with symptoms such as fatigue, itching, abdominal discomfort, and psychological challenges.

MyPBCVoice focuses on patient education, information, and mutual support to improve quality of life. Activities include:

  • Questionnaires to assess patient needs (fill here)
  • A PBC-focused microsite
  • Interactive Facebook community for communication and support (join here)
  • Short videos and vidcasts with patients and experts
  • Online webinars
  • Digital archive of complaints and reports to map access barriers

We encourage everyone to share and promote this initiative to reach more patients and health professionals.

Kapa3 is proud to support initiatives like MyPBCVoice, which empower patients and foster connection and knowledge within the community.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

KAPA3 at the ESMO Congress: Inspiration and Confirmation That We Are Moving Towards the Future

From October 17 to 20, we attended the ESMO World Congress in Berlin. The event stood out for the active participation of the Greek medical community, which led presentations on clinical data, Real-World Evidence, and up-to-date education in collaboration with the global oncology community. At the same time, Greek teams received awards in various areas (medical, nursing, institutional), inspiring us all with hope for the ongoing developments in oncology care.

Our main goal as KAPA3 was to focus on research addressing the real needs of the population within the framework of the global community. Collaborating with healthcare professionals from around the world allowed us to gather valuable knowledge and experiences. The intensive sessions and discussions broadened our understanding and prompted reflection on the next steps.

Key challenges identified for the patient advocacy community were:

  1. Mandatory multidisciplinary assessment before starting treatment
    No patient should begin treatment without undergoing a multidisciplinary assessment, including an oncology nurse, social scientist, and psychologist. This should be considered the minimum standard for all cancer patients.
  2. Certification and quality of multidisciplinary teams
    It is our duty to ensure that these teams meet quality standards. Their certification is undoubtedly complex. However, for us at KAPA3, multidisciplinary care is a fundamental criterion for service provision and must be certified. Quality care can significantly improve patient outcomes, as shown by clinical studies and research presented at this year’s congress, with potential improvements in overall survival of up to 10% (Sweden).

We are deeply proud that our work is guided by these standards precisely. In an era of remarkable progress in medicine and new therapies, we continue to strengthen the institution of research and multidisciplinary care, ensuring accessibility and patient-centered approaches aimed at quality of life.

This is the third time we have presented our efforts at an ESMO congress, in collaboration with the International University and the Nursing Department, highlighting our presence at every level. Meanwhile, trainings for other healthcare professionals take place annually within our organization in collaboration with Greek universities.

For Greek patients and their environment, we have not yet reached a point where the quality of care is considered a key objective for the entire oncology community. Our aim is to align with efforts across Europe so that, in the future, multidisciplinary assessments from the first day of diagnosis become standard practice within therapeutic protocols.

At KAPA3, we understand that quality care, inherently multidisciplinary, requires collective effort and collaboration between organizations and professionals to determine the best possible standards.