Category: Public health

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

Kapa3: Participation in the Alliance for Obesity Prevention and the Release of the First National Clinical Practice Guidelines in Greece

The National Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines mark a historic milestone for public health in Greece.

Kapa3, an active member of the Alliance for Obesity Prevention (#Action4Obesity), continues to consistently promote the message that prevention, education, and support are vital for the health of all citizens. As part of our participation, we were delighted to contribute to the workshop of the Panhellenic Association for the Support of People with Obesity “Imeroesa” on “Obesity and Cancer – From Theory to Practice”, a participation that highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.

This participation was part of a broader collaboration that led to a historic milestone for the country: the release of the first National Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Obesity in Greece. At the press conference held on Tuesday, November 25, the completion of these guidelines was announced, marking a landmark achievement for Greece.

The National Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Obesity establish, for the first time, a unified, scientifically evidence-based framework for the prevention, assessment, and therapeutic management of obesity, clearly recognizing it as a chronic disease. This is a project of great significance for society, citizens, and the healthcare system, as it provides critical guidance for addressing a condition that affects a large proportion of the population.

The development of the guidelines took 20 months and involved over 50 experts from 20 different specialties. The project includes 21 chapters, available on the Alliance for Obesity Prevention website, covering the full spectrum of prevention, management, and treatment of the condition. The guidelines provide data on the prevalence of obesity in Greece (almost 70% of the adult population overweight or obese) and internationally, as well as on the impact on healthcare costs, productivity, and mortality.

Alongside the scientific and clinical aspects, the new guidelines highlight the need for social awareness. Obesity is not a matter of personal weakness; individuals living with excess weight often face stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion, affecting their mental health, access to care, and quality of life. The adoption of the National Clinical Practice Guidelines signals not only the recognition of obesity as a disease, but also a clear commitment to respect, equal treatment, and the elimination of all forms of weight-based stigma, promoting a society that is more informed, fair, and supportive for all.

The Alliance for Obesity Prevention now emerges as a key actor in public health, while the active participation of Kapa3 reaffirms our commitment to inform, raise awareness, and support patients, reinforcing the shared vision of a society that values health, prevention, and timely intervention.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3