Category: VOLUNTEERING

The new OECD report (2025) highlights Greece’s challenges and priorities in cancer

The new OECD report (2025) highlights Greece’s challenges and priorities in cancer, comparing them with other European countries.

Key points:

  • Increased incidence: Greece records ~67,000 new cancer diagnoses and ~36,000 deaths annually (2022 data). By 2050, cases are expected to increase by 36%.
  • Risk factors: Smoking, obesity, poor diet, air pollution, low HPV vaccination coverage.
  • Early diagnosis: There are programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer, but they are not yet sufficiently developed or sustainable beyond 2025.
  • Inequalities in care: Staff shortages, geographical inequalities, high out-of-pocket costs, difficulties in access for vulnerable groups.
  • Survivors & caregivers: There is no organized strategy for the quality of life of survivors, while caregivers are overburdened. The “right to be forgotten” does not yet apply in Greece.
  • Data & policy: Until recently, there was no national cancer registry. Greece does not yet have a comprehensive National Cancer Plan, unlike many other European countries.

Conclusion:
Greece is called upon to:

– strengthen prevention and population-based screening,

– reduce inequalities in access,

– support survivors and caregivers,

– and develop a holistic national cancer plan with clear targets and evaluation.

The report clearly shows that the country needs greater investment, better organization, and integration of actions into European planning.

See the report in detail here  22087cfa-en (1)

The main points are given in the file below by the Kapa3 team. OOSA 2025 REPORT

Kapa3 – Social Message for Public Awareness and Education on Cancer

The Kapa3’s social message for public awareness and education on cancer has gone viral! A powerful message that captures the attention of thousands of citizens daily on social media.

Continuing its successful effort to raise public awareness about the importance of social support and its impact on managing chronic illnesses, Kapa3 created a television and radio spot emphasizing the need for timely and appropriate social support from the right people—especially in an era where globalization and rapid lifestyle changes pose major challenges to healthcare professionals and the community in cancer management.

The spot, titled “Think of a Word That Starts with K”, engages and captivates thousands of citizens daily, with its reach steadily growing. This multifaceted social message was posted online as part of a campaign created by Kapa3 to inform and raise awareness. The message has already surpassed 100,000 views, reinforcing Kapa3’s mission: social support and guidance for cancer patients navigating the challenging path of their illness.

This initiative is a strong call to social responsibility, encouraging everyone to actively participate in the ongoing effort to support healthcare services, improve cancer patients’ quality of life, promote prevention principles, engage the public in health management, reduce human and financial costs, and highlight civil society as a positive driver for public-benefit actions.

A key prerequisite for all this is the establishment of a strong, supportive social, institutional, and legal framework that safeguards patients’ fundamental right to a life free from stereotypes and discrimination.

Notably, the spot, produced with a focus on promoting public health and social support, was approved by the Greek National Council for Radio and Television (ESR). Following the approval of its Special Three-Member Committee for Social Messages (Decision 207-09.11.2023), the spot was authorized for free broadcast on television and radio stations nationwide from December 1 to December 31, 2023.

The campaign was made possible thanks to the unwavering support of friends, partners, volunteers, and Kapa3 members under the guidance of A3, and has been promoted across Greece and online through the organization’s initiatives.

We are sharing it with you online so that it can be featured by local media, spreading the message that “Not only Cancer Starts with K, but also everything that can defeat it”, leading the way in public education and awareness.

According to Mattson (2011), building on definitions by Albrecht & Adelman (1987) and Gottlieb (2000), social support is defined as “a transactional, communicative process involving verbal and non-verbal interaction aimed at enhancing an individual’s perception of their ability to manage their problem, self-esteem, and sense of belonging.”

We sincerely thank you for your positive response and support.

Evangelí Bista
Head of Development and Operations, Kapa3
PhD(c), MBA, MSc, BSc
Mobile: +30 697 410 2934