Category: patient empowerment

October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is internationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to education, prevention, and support for everyone affected by the disease. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide, yet early diagnosis and advances in treatment have significantly improved both quality and length of life.

The event began in 1985 as a week-long awareness campaign by the American Cancer Society, in partnership with Imperial Chemical Industries, a British company that made tamoxifen. The campaign eventually grew into a month-long event.

The core message of this month is simple but crucial: awareness saves lives. Regular mammograms, self-examinations, and timely medical advice when suspicious signs appear are the most powerful tools for prevention and early detection. International studies show that women who participate in screening programs are more likely to be diagnosed at an early stage, allowing for more effective and less invasive treatment.

However, October is not just about medical tests. It is a month that highlights the importance of psychosocial support and solidarity. Breast cancer affects not only the body but also the mind and spirit. Women – and men – facing this diagnosis need a supportive network of family, friends, healthcare professionals, and organizations to guide, encourage, and stand by them every step of the way.

The Kapa3 Cancer Guidance Center joins the international community in emphasizing the value of accurate information and equitable access to healthcare services. Through informative articles, prevention guides, and psychological support, our goal is to stand by every person in need, providing reliable knowledge and meaningful assistance.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than a campaign: it is a reminder that life can be won when prevention, education, and solidarity become part of our daily practice. October calls on all of us to raise our voices, promote screening, and embrace those fighting their own battles—because no one should face cancer alone.

Kapa3 at the “Latest Developments in Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment VII” Conference

Kapa3 at the “Latest Developments in Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment VII” Conference – Highlighting the Social Dimension of Health and Palliative Care

From October 3 to 5, 2025, the “Latest Developments in Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment VII” conference took place at the Electra Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki, featuring hybrid participation and attracting dozens of healthcare professionals from across Greece. Attendance averaged around 70 participants per hour, reflecting strong interest in both scientific advancements and social aspects of lung cancer care.

At the Round Table “Social and Economic Determinants of Health: The Kapa3 Model” (October 5, 09:00–10:15), Evageli Bista and Anastasia Fragkedaki presented Kapa3’s patient-centered care model, which integrates psychosocial support, information, and empowerment for patients and caregivers.

The discussion focused on the patient’s social context, the impact of socio-economic factors on health outcomes, and the critical importance of palliative care, particularly in Northern Greece where dedicated resources remain limited. Reference was also made to the pilot program “OIKOTHEN”, implemented in collaboration with Kapa3, currently supporting four patients and receiving highly positive feedback, with plans to expand in the future.

Kapa3’s presence at the conference drew notable interest from healthcare professionals, helping to disseminate the organization’s work and philosophy across new scientific communities and healthcare institutions.

Through active participation in key scientific events nationwide, Kapa3 continues to promote the principles of holistic care, collaboration, and solidarity in the fight against cancer.

7 October – World Day for Decent Work

World Day for Decent Work was established in 2008 by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to emphasize everyone’s right to safe, healthy, and dignified working conditions.

It highlights the importance of respect, equality, and social justice in the workplace.

For people living with cancer, work often presents a dilemma: how to balance treatment demands with job responsibilities. Unfortunately, prejudice and lack of awareness can push many patients to the margins.

Access to decent work is not a luxury—it is a right. Support at work, flexible hours, colleague understanding, and elimination of discrimination are crucial steps toward an inclusive society.

Kapa3 supports patients in knowing their rights and advocating for themselves at work. At the same time, we raise awareness about the importance of workplace inclusion.
World Day for Decent Work reminds us that the fight against cancer should never come with social exclusion. A fair society embraces everyone with respect and equal opportunities.

Shining the light on medical gaslighting and its impact on patient safety

This descriptive review, published in the Archives of Hellenic Medicine (Volume 42, Issue 5, Sept–Oct 2025), explores the concept of medical “gaslighting” and its potential impact on patient safety, such as missed, delayed, or inadequate diagnoses, delayed treatment, and suboptimal health outcomes, resulting from healthcare professionals’ failure to interact effectively with their patients.

“Gaslighting” is recognized as a form of emotional and psychological abuse that does not involve physical harm but can instill feelings of fear, isolation, or loss of control in the victim.

What is Medical Gaslighting

In medical gaslighting, persistent distortions, misunderstandings, manipulation of reality, treating patients as scapegoats, and coercion are key techniques used by “gaslighters,” creating confusion and distress in patients.

Medical gaslighting is a covert form of manipulation with serious consequences, where gaslighters often display narcissistic or antisocial personality traits to reinforce their authority.

Certain groups may be particularly vulnerable to this behavior, including individuals who are overweight, elderly, or living with mental or physical health conditions, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Black, Indigenous, or other people of color.

Profiles of Gaslighters and Gaslightees

Gaslighters use manipulation to assert and maintain power, often undermining the confidence of their victims.

Patients who experience medical gaslighting may face delayed diagnosis and treatment, as well as negative effects on both mental and physical health.

Signs of Medical Gaslighting

  • Ignoring or downplaying patients’ symptoms and concerns
  • Refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue or paying insufficient attention to the patient
  • Misleading the patient into believing that their symptoms are psychological (e.g., “it’s all in your head”)
  • Failing to provide referrals or necessary tests
  • Imposing a single treatment option, typically the one they recommend

How Patients Can Protect Themselves

Empowering patients and encouraging active participation in their care are central to avoiding gaslighting.

Strategies include:

  • Requesting sufficient time for discussion with the healthcare provider
  • Preparing questions before the appointment
  • Recording details and taking notes
  • Being accompanied by a trusted person
  • Open and honest communication

Awareness of medical gaslighting is crucial for preventing misdiagnosis and improving health outcomes. The more patients know about their rights and have self-care tools, the better they are equipped to handle instances of gaslighting.

You can read the review here