Category: Prevention

Kapa3 Introduces Its New Psychological Support Team

On the occasion of May, Mental Health Awareness Month, and June, a month dedicated to cancer survivors, Kapa3 introduces its new Psychological Support Team.

The experience of cancer does not affect only the body. It deeply touches a person’s emotional world, daily life, relationships, family, work and sense of safety. From the moment of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and also in life after treatment, patients and their loved ones are often called to cope with fear, uncertainty, change, loss, exhaustion and, at times, a profound sense of loneliness.

At Kapa3, we know that supporting people affected by cancer requires a holistic approach. Information about rights, benefits and procedures is essential. Guidance through the health and social care system is equally important. But people also need a safe space where they can speak, be heard, express what weighs on them and receive support with respect, discretion and professionalism.

Kapa3’s new Psychological Support Team has been created for this purpose: to provide counselling and psychosocial support to people experiencing cancer, as well as to caregivers and family members.

The aim of the service is to empower, support and improve the quality of life of beneficiaries. Through psychological support, individuals may better recognise what they are experiencing, manage anxiety and uncertainty, strengthen their emotional resilience and feel that they are not alone in their journey.

The service is addressed to adult cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and family members. Support may relate to different stages of the cancer experience, including a new diagnosis, active treatment, the post-treatment period, recurrence, long-term follow-up or the daily challenges faced by caregivers.

Support is provided through a cycle of up to eight individual sessions, scheduled in consultation with the beneficiary and according to the availability of the service. Sessions may take place either in person or online, depending on the needs of the beneficiary and the operational framework of the service.

Confidentiality, professional ethics and the protection of personal data are central to the service. Participation is based on informed consent, and the information shared by the beneficiary remains confidential. Any exchange of information between Kapa3’s Psychological and Social Services is limited strictly to what is necessary in order to provide appropriate support.

The new team is part of Kapa3’s broader philosophy of interdisciplinary, person-centred and responsible care. Psychological support is connected with social guidance, information on rights and benefits, referral needs and the overall empowerment of the beneficiary.

At the same time, the service operates within clear boundaries. It has a supportive and counselling character and does not replace psychiatric monitoring, emergency psychiatric intervention or long-term psychotherapy. When needed, beneficiaries may be guided towards appropriate services or specialised mental health professionals.

At Kapa3, we believe that no one should have to face cancer alone. Psychological support is not a luxury. It is part of care. It is a space for listening, acceptance and empowerment.

Asking for help is not a weakness.
It is an act of care.
It is an act of self-awareness.
It is an act of strength.

Kapa3 – Cancer Guidance Centre
Together, with knowledge, care and human presence.

May, Melanoma Awareness Month: Prevention, awareness and early diagnosis

May is internationally recognized as Melanoma Awareness Month and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about prevention, sun protection, and the importance of early diagnosis.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, with melanoma being its most aggressive form. Although it accounts for a smaller proportion of skin cancer cases, it is responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths.

Globally, in 2020 there were approximately 325,000 new cases of melanoma and around 57,000 deaths, with numbers expected to rise in the coming years if prevention and awareness efforts are not strengthened.

In Europe, melanoma remains one of the most common cancers, with more than 100,000 new cases annually and over 15,000 deaths each year. The incidence is higher in Northern and Western European countries, while overall UV radiation exposure is considered the main contributing factor for the majority of cases.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, whether from the sun or artificial sources such as tanning beds, is the most significant risk factor for melanoma. Many cases could be prevented through proper sun protection and behavioral changes.

In countries like Greece, where sunlight exposure is high throughout much of the year, awareness and prevention are especially important. Regular skin self-examinations and dermatological check-ups can play a key role in identifying suspicious changes in moles (naevi) at an early stage.

Early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates. When detected in its initial stages, melanoma is highly treatable, whereas delayed diagnosis is associated with more aggressive disease progression. This highlights the critical importance of awareness and timely medical evaluation.

Preventive measures remain essential: using sunscreen, avoiding peak sun hours, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding artificial tanning can all significantly reduce risk.

Melanoma Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that skin health is not only an aesthetic concern but a vital part of overall health and cancer prevention.

Read also Kapa3’s article on Bladder Cancer Awareness Month.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – GLOBOCAN
  • European Cancer Information System (ECIS)
  • European Environment Agency (EEA)

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Bladder Cancer Awareness Month: Awareness, prevention and early diagnosis

May is internationally recognized as Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, an important initiative led by health organizations and patient advocacy groups worldwide to promote public awareness, prevention, and early diagnosis.

Bladder cancer is among the most common types of cancer globally, with hundreds of thousands of new cases diagnosed each year. In Europe, it is considered one of the most common urological cancers, affecting men significantly more often than women.

In Greece, the data remains particularly concerning. The country records the highest incidence rate in Southern Europe, with approximately 39.7 new cases per 100,000 men annually. In terms of mortality, an estimated 7–8 men per 100,000 lose their lives to the disease every year, placing Greece among the countries with the highest mortality rates in the region. These figures highlight the importance of prevention, awareness, and timely medical intervention.

Behind every statistic are people — patients and families facing the emotional, physical, and practical challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Raising awareness is therefore not only about numbers, but also about supporting individuals throughout their journey.

Smoking remains the most significant risk factor for bladder cancer and is linked to a large percentage of cases. Long-term exposure to certain chemicals, especially in specific occupational environments, as well as chronic inflammation of the urinary tract, may also increase the risk of developing the disease.

Recognizing the symptoms early can make a critical difference. The most common warning sign is blood in the urine (hematuria), even when no pain is present. Other symptoms may include frequent urination, burning during urination, or a sudden urge to urinate. Although these symptoms may also be associated with less serious conditions, they should never be ignored.

When bladder cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, survival rates are significantly higher, underlining the importance of early detection. However, the disease is also known for its high recurrence rates, making long-term follow-up and monitoring essential even after treatment.

Prevention remains a key pillar in reducing the burden of the disease. Quitting smoking, limiting exposure to harmful chemicals, and increasing awareness of the symptoms can all contribute to lowering the risk.

In Greece, awareness initiatives are also supported by scientific organizations such as the Hellenic Genito-Urinary Cancer Group (HGUCG), contributing to public education and the promotion of early symptom recognition.

Bladder Cancer Awareness Month is an important opportunity to encourage open discussion around the disease. Awareness is more than information — it is a tool that can lead to earlier diagnosis, improved treatment outcomes, and ultimately, more lives saved.

Sources:

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – March

March is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting prevention of colorectal cancer, one of the most common but also highly treatable cancers when detected early. It is also referred to as colorectal carcinoma.

According to a European Commission report published in March 2021, colorectal cancer accounted for 12.7% of all new cancer diagnoses and 12.4% of all cancer-related deaths in the EU-27 countries in 2020. By 2045, it is estimated that 3.29 million new cases will be diagnosed worldwide, leading to 1.66 million deaths.

The disease occurs more frequently in men than in women, with age being a significant factor. Approximately 90% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer worldwide are over 50 years old.

Prevention and early detection save lives.

Regular screenings, such as colonoscopy, can detect early lesions or precancerous changes before they develop into serious disease. During a colonoscopy, tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken for histological examination if a suspicious lesion is found, and polyps can be removed to prevent progression to cancer.

Treatment options depend on the stage of the disease, the tumor’s molecular characteristics, and the patient’s overall health. Standard therapies include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy—which plays a key role in rectal cancer—as well as targeted therapies and immunotherapies guided by specific molecular biomarkers.

Through the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, the goal is to detect precancerous lesions or the disease itself early, allowing prompt intervention and treatment. Adenomatous polyps or early-stage neoplasms have a 100% cure rate when managed at an early stage, highlighting the critical importance of early detection.

For more information, visit the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program website: https://colon.gov.gr

For any questions, you can contact the service department at tel. 11401 or via email: prolipsis-helpdesk@idika.gr.

Sources:

Understanding Breast Cancer Risk Factors: What You Can and Can’t Change

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, share knowledge, and remind ourselves of the importance of early detection and prevention. One of the most common questions people ask is: “What can I do to lower my risk of breast cancer?”

The truth is that while doctors don’t know exactly what causes breast cancer, research has identified certain factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Some of these are beyond our control, while others are linked to lifestyle choices and can be modified. By learning the difference, we empower ourselves to take the best possible care of our health.

Unchangeable Risk Factors

Some risk factors cannot be avoided. These include:

  • Sex: Being female or assigned female at birth is the biggest risk factor.
  • Age: Risk increases with age; two out of three invasive breast cancers occur in women 55 or older.
  • Family History and Genetics: A family history of breast cancer or inherited genetic mutations (such as BRCA1/2) increases risk.
  • Personal History: Women previously diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to develop it again.
  • Past Radiation: Radiation to the chest or face before age 30 raises risk.
  • Certain Breast Conditions: Some non-cancerous breast changes are linked to higher risk.

Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors

Our daily habits and choices also play a significant role:

  • Weight: Being overweight, especially after menopause, increases risk.
  • Physical Activity: Lack of regular exercise is linked to higher risk.
  • Smoking and Alcohol: Both are associated with increased breast cancer risk.
  • Hormonal Factors: Use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or hormonal contraception may raise risk in some women.
  • Reproductive History: Age at first childbirth, number of pregnancies, and breastfeeding history all influence risk.
  • Menstrual History: Early onset of menstruation is associated with slightly higher risk.

Emerging Risk Factors

Research is ongoing, but some additional factors are being studied, such as:

  • Low vitamin D levels.
  • Night-shift work and exposure to bright light at night.
  • Exposure to chemicals (in food, plastics, cosmetics, sunscreens, pesticides, pollution).
  • Frequent consumption of grilled or smoked meats.
  • High levels of air pollution.

Myths and Misconceptions

It’s equally important to clear up what does not increase risk. Research shows no evidence that abortion, antiperspirants, bras, or dairy products cause breast cancer.

We may not be able to control every risk factor, but every small step toward a healthier lifestyle truly makes a difference. Exercise, balanced nutrition, limiting alcohol, and avoiding smoking are not just prevention measures — they’re acts of daily self-care.
At Kapa3, we believe that awareness and support save lives. No one is ever alone on this journey. We promise to continue to speak openly, share knowledge, and stand beside every woman. Because awareness is not about fear; it’s about strength, hope, and small steps toward a healthier tomorrow.

Read More here: https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia for Kapa3

Raising the Standards: Europe’s QA Scheme for Breast Cancer Services

The European Quality Assurance (QA) Scheme for Breast Cancer Services, part of the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC), is a voluntary certification program covering the full care pathway—from screening to palliative care.

Designed to support quality improvement across Europe, it provides evidence-based guidelines and common quality and safety requirements.

The scheme has been piloted in multiple European countries, confirming its feasibility and usefulness in real healthcare settings. Services meeting the standards can apply for accredited certification, ensuring consistent, high-quality care.

The program is coordinated by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in collaboration with DG SANTE, under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

To learn more, click here 

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.

Digital transformation: Health systems’ investment priorities

Health systems around the world are facing a host of challenges, including rising costs, clinical-workforce shortages, aging populations requiring more care (for example, to treat chronic conditions), and increasing competition from nontraditional players.1 At the same time, consumers are expecting new capabilities (such as digital scheduling and telemedicine) and better experiences from health systems across their end-to-end care journeys.2 In response, health systems are increasing their focus on digital and AI transformation to meet consumer demands, address workforce challenges, reduce costs, and enhance the overall quality of care.3 However, despite acknowledging the importance of these efforts to future sustainability, many health system executives say their organizations are still not investing enough.

AI, traditional machine learning, and deep learning are projected to result in net savings of up to $360 billion in healthcare spending.

AI, traditional machine learning, and deep learning are projected to result in net savings of $200 billion to $360 billion in healthcare spending.4 But are health systems investing to capture these opportunities? We recently surveyed 200 global health system executives about their digital investment priorities and progress.5 Seventy-five percent of respondents reported their organizations place a high priority on digital and analytics transformation but lack sufficient resources or planning in this area.

Increasing prioritization

In line with other industries, the majority (nearly 90 percent) of health system executives surveyed, in both technical roles (such as chief information officer or chief technology officer) and nontechnical roles (for example, CEO or CFO), reported that a digital and AI transformation is a high or top priority for their organization. At the same time, 75 percent of respondents reported their organizations are not yet able to deliver on that priority because they have not sufficiently planned or allocated the necessary resources.


Health system digital investment priority areas and anticipated impact

For health system executives, current investment priorities do not always align with areas they believe could have the most impact. There is alignment in some areas, including virtual health and digital front doors, where about 70 percent of respondents expect the highest impact.1 In other areas, such as AI, 88 percent of respondents reported a high potential impact,2 yet about 20 percent of respondents do not plan to invest in the next two years. The absence of investment in a robust, modern data and analytics platform could delay value creation in areas that depend on these capabilities—such as efforts to close gaps in care, improve timely access for referrals, and optimize operating room throughput.

Major headwinds and slow progress

Given the current macroeconomic climate and increasing cost pressures on health systems, most respondents identified budget constraints as a key obstacle to investing at scale across all digital and AI categories of interest (51 percent of respondents ranked this obstacle among the top three). For example, a health system that is building a digital front door may lack the resources to simultaneously invest in the latest generative AI (gen AI) capabilities.

Respondents called out challenges with legacy systems as the second-greatest concern (after budget constraints). Core tech modernization is key to delivering on the digital promise,1 but health systems have typically relied on a smaller set of monolithic systems that have become a challenge to untangle.

Additional highly ranked challenges include data quality (33 percent), tech talent and recruiting (30 percent), and readiness to adopt and scale new technology (34 percent).

Satisfaction with digital investment

Most executives of health systems that have invested in digital priorities (72 percent) reported satisfaction across all investment areas. Among the comparatively fewer respondents who reported investing in robotics and advanced analytics, satisfaction was even higher, at 82 percent and 81 percent, respectively. Given that investments result in a high level of satisfaction and that 75 percent of executives reported they are not yet able to deliver on their digital transformation ambitions (as noted above), health systems may be facing a failure to scale their digital programs.

What health systems can do and how they can learn from other industries

The goal of digital and AI transformation is to fundamentally rewire how an organization operates, building capabilities to drive tangible business value (such as patient acquisition and experience, clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and workforce experience and retention) through continuous innovation. Delivering digital value for health systems requires investment and new ways of working.

Building partnerships. Scale is crucial to value creation. But the definition of at-scale systems has changed in the past few years; today, it takes more than $13 billion to be a top 20 system by revenue, and many have reached their current position through inorganic growth.6 Partnerships (joint ventures and alliances) may offer a promising avenue to access new capabilities, increase speed to market, and achieve capital, scale, and operational efficiencies.7

Moving beyond off-the-shelf solutions. History shows that deploying technology—such as electronic health records (EHRs)—on top of broken processes and clinical workflows does not lead to value. Realizing value from healthcare technology will require a reimagination (and standardization) of clinical workflows and care models across organizations. For example, optimizing workflows to enable more appropriate delegation, with technical enablement, could yield a potential 15 to 30 percent net time savings over a 12-hour shift. This could help close the nursing workforce gap by up to 300,000 inpatient nurses.8

Using the cloud for modernization. Health systems are increasingly building cloud-based data environments with defined data products to increase data availability and quality. Health systems can also use cloud-hosted, end-user-focused platforms (such as patient or clinician apps) that integrate multiple other applications and experiences to simplify stakeholders’ interactions with the system.

Operating differently. Operating differently entails fundamental changes in structure (flatter, empowered, cross-functional teams), talent (new skill sets and fully dedicated teams), ways of working (outcome orientation, agile funding, and managing products, not projects), and technology (modular architecture, cloud-based data systems, and reduced reliance on the monolithic EHR). With these changes, some health systems have begun to see real value within six months. Building a digital culture helps the transformation succeed over time.9

Cautiously embracing gen AI. Gen AI has the potential to affect everything from continuity of care and clinical operations to contracting and corporate functions. Health system executives and patients have concerns about the risks of AI, particularly in relation to patient care and privacy. Managing these risks entails placing business-minded legal and risk-management teams alongside AI and data science teams.10 Organizations could also implement a well-informed risk-prioritization strategy.

Digital and AI investments provide health systems with opportunities to address the many challenges they face. Successful health systems will invest in areas with the greatest potential impact while removing barriers—for example, by upgrading legacy infrastructure. Health systems that make successful investments in digital and analytics capabilities could see substantial benefits and position themselves to benefit from the $200 billion to $360 billion opportunity.11

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Jack Eastburn is a partner in McKinsey’s Southern California office; Jen Fowkes is a partner in the Washington, DC, office; and Karl Kellner is a senior partner in the New York office. Brad Swanson is a consultant in the Denver office.

The authors wish to thank David Bueno, Camilo Gutierrez, Dae-Hee Lee, Audrey Manicor, Lois Schonberger, and Tim Zoph for their contributions to this article.

Πηγή: mckinsey.com
find more :https://eefam.gr/digital-transformation-health-systems-investment-priorities/

A Different Chemotherapy Approach for Ovarian Cancer

OVARIAN CANCER that spreads to the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum, is difficult to treat. Patients with this advanced cancer typically undergo debulking, also called cytoreductive surgery, a lengthy procedure in which surgeons aim to remove all cancer from the abdominal cavity and affected organs, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well as the bladder, colon and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In recent years, researchers have looked at the efficacy of using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which is heated chemotherapy delivered directly to the peritoneum, to destroy remaining cancer cells immediately after debulking surgery.

Scientists in Belgium and the Netherlands published long-term data from OVHIPEC-1, a randomized phase III trial to evaluate adding HIPEC to interval cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer, in the October 2023 Lancet Oncology. (In interval surgery, chemotherapy is given to shrink the cancer prior to surgery.) The study enrolled 245 women with stage III epithelial ovarian cancer whose cancer showed no signs of progression after upfront chemotherapy. Researchers randomly assigned women to have debulking surgery alone, or surgery plus HIPEC using the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. After 10 years, median overall survival for the surgery-plus-HIPEC group was 44.9 months versus 33.3 months for the surgery group. Median progression-free survival was 14.3 months and 10.7 months, respectively. The rates of adverse events were similar—25% with surgery alone versus 27% with surgery plus HIPEC—and the most common events were abdominal pain, infection and slowed bowel function.

These results are in line with the researchers’ five-year analysis, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2018. In that analysis, 6.6% of patients in the surgery group had survived without progression at five years, compared with 12.3% in the surgery-plus-HIPEC group. At 10 years, 6.6% of the people who received surgery were alive with no progression versus 10.1% in the surgery-plus-HIPEC group. While surgery plus HIPEC did not result in better cure rates, the authors note that it significantly prolonged the time cancer was controlled. “The most important finding is that the benefit for patients with stage III ovarian carcinoma when interval cytoreductive surgery is combined with HIPEC remains present after a 10-year follow up,” says Willemien van Driel, lead author and a gynecologic oncologist at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam, who notes that patients in both arms of the study received similar treatment after subsequent recurrences.

Van Driel says that there is still variation in the use of HIPEC along with cytoreductive surgery. European guidelines published in October 2023 note that HIPEC with cytoreductive surgery should not be considered a standard of care. In the U.S., National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines state that HIPEC can be considered for patients with stage III epithelial ovarian cancer.

Van Driel and her colleagues are now enrolling patients in the OVHIPEC-2 trial, which will study the effect of adding HIPEC in women with stage III ovarian cancer undergoing primary surgery, which is surgery done upfront prior to chemotherapy. Other trials are evaluating HIPEC use for recurrent ovarian cancer. She notes there are several unanswered questions, including optimal dosing and temperature for HIPEC and the impact of including other drugs, such as PARP inhibitors, with this approach, since many of these drugs were not standard of care at the time of the trial.

HIPEC may be a valid choice for patients who are generally healthy and open to a longer procedure and hospital stay. Although the length of surgery plus HIPEC varies, HIPEC generally adds 90 minutes or more to debulking surgery, which itself takes several hours. Also, patients typically require a longer hospital stay for recovery, possibly with intravenous or tube feedings while the digestive system recovers. 

Find more :

A Different Chemotherapy Approach for Ovarian Cancer

New evidence that brain and body health influence mental wellbeing

The study, published in Nature Mental Health, analysed UK Biobank data from more than 18,000 individuals. Of these, 7,749 people had no major clinically-diagnosed medical or mental health conditions, while 10,334 had reported a diagnosis of either schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety.

Using advanced statistical models, the researchers found a significant association between poorer organ health and higher depressive symptoms, and that the brain plays an important role in linking body health and depression.

The organ systems studied included the lungs, muscles and bones, kidneys, liver, heart, and the metabolic and immune systems.

Dr Ye Ella Tian, lead author of the study from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne, said. “Overall, we found multiple significant pathways through which poor organ health may lead to poor brain health, which may in turn lead to poor mental health.

“By integrating clinical data, brain imaging and a wide array of organ-specific biomarkers in a large population-based cohort, for the first time we were able to establish multiple pathways involving the brain as a mediating factor and through which poor physical health of body organ systems may lead to poor mental health.

“We identified modifiable lifestyle factors that can potentially lead to improved mental health through their impact on these specific organ systems and neurobiology.

“Our work provides a holistic characterisation of brain, body, lifestyle and mental health.”

Physical health was also taken into account, as well as lifestyle factors such as sleep quality, diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

Professor James Cole, an author of the study from UCL Computer Science, said: “While it’s well-known in healthcare that all the body’s organs and systems influence each other, it’s rarely reflected in research studies. So, it’s exciting to see these results, as it really emphases the value in combining measures from different parts of the body together.”

Professor Andrew Zalesky, an author of the study from the Departments of Psychiatry and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, said. “This is a significant body of work because we have shown the link between physical health and depression and anxiety, and how that is partially influenced by individual changes in brain structure.

“Our results suggest that poor physical health across multiple organ systems, such as liver and heart, the immune system and muscles and bones, may lead to subsequent alterations in brain structure.

“These structural changes of the brain may lead to or exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as neuroticism.”

 

Find more : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/aug/new-evidence-brain-and-body-health-influence-mental-wellbeing?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=vpee_linkedin_newsletter&utm_content=bodyhealth_aug24